Each year, millions of Americans fail the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. Looking back, what are the most common mistakes folks make? To a great number of drivers, it seems that yellow lights, yellow lines and knowing the safe following distance when driving behind another vehicle are the topics in the most difficult questions on the National Drivers Test. Below are the three questions most often answered incorrectly each year. Take this mini-test and see how you’d do…

1. Under most conditions what is a safe following distance?
A. 3 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds

2. A solid yellow line, on your side of the center line, means:
A. Reduce speed
B. Traffic light ahead
C. Do not pass

3. When you approach a traffic signal displaying a steady yellow light, you must:
A. Go through the intersection before it turns red
B. Stop if it is safe to do so
C. Be prepared to stop
D. Slow down and proceed with caution

Answer key is listed below.

How’d you do? We hope this mini-test helped you refresh your driving credentials so that you will be a safer driver.

Look for more emails to follow and get ready to test your driving knowledge!

Answers:
1. A. 3 seconds
2. C. Do not pass
3. B. Stop if it is safe to do so

• Sixty-four percent of parents are imposing the “no mobile devices while driving” rule.
• About 50 percent of parents implement a driving curfew.
• About 35 percent of parents allow their teenagers to drive only locally and restrict them from driving on any highways.
• Thirty-two percent of parents don’t allow their teenagers to drive with friends in the car.
• Twenty-two percent of parents allow their teenagers to drive only if a parent is with them.
• Only nine percent of parents don’t impose any driving restrictions on their teenage drivers.

It’s time to go back to college! Share these valuable driving safety tips with your college students as they load up their cars and head back to college.

1. Avoid Cramming, Pack Right. Even though your son or daughter will try to fit every last piece of dorm room equipment into the car, make sure whoever is driving is able to see out of the rearview mirror despite a fully packed car. Nothing should be packed above seat level in order to avoid projectile movement of objects if the need to stop short arises. Pack right by making two trips or shipping what will not fit safely in the car.
2. Take a Break. Whether you or child is driving, make sure to plan to take stops and break up your drive if it is a long one.
3. Conduct a Car Check. Check headlights, oil, turn signals, and tires before letting your son or daughter embark on their journey to college. You never know when these vehicle essentials may break down!
4. Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Pedestrians. All college campuses experience an increase in the number of pedestrians walking around. Remind your son or daughter to yield to pedestrians and to never pass a car that is stopped at a cross walk.
5. Always Lock up! College students often forget that urban areas of college campuses are not as safe as their parents’ driveway. Remind your son or daughter to never leave valuables in the car and always lock the car.

Practice Safe Driving, Take the Test!
Raise awareness about safe driving and let your policyholders test their driving knowledge by reminding them to take the test! Your customers will be able to share and compare their scores with family and friends, and see just how their distracted driving habits measure up. Whether it’s on your Facebook page, blog, Twitter account, or company website, the National Drivers Test initiates great conversation and will grow your business within your community.

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) August 21, 2011

The locally based North Carolina insurance agency Charlotte Insurance is proud to announce their agency’s recent achievement, of being named to Business Leader’s Top 300 Small Business of the South. The agency received a number six ranking out of 300 for the Charlotte-area.

The awards were given out based on the companies’ revenue growth, recent business achievements, civic participation and percentage of local sales. As part of this special award Charlotte Insurance will also be granted a feature in an upcoming issue of Business Leadermagazine. Specifically, the profile will include basic agency information as well as the Charlotte Insurance’s rankings, in their specific market, across the south and a brief company description that focuses on the above elements upon which the award was based. Interested in learning more about Charlotte Insurance and what makes it a top small business in the south? Check out a snippet from the company’s profile:
“Formed in 1992, Charlotte Insurance is one of Charlotte’s largest locally owned Property & Liability insurance providers, generating about 80 percent of its client base locally. The company provides custom business, commercial, home, auto, & boat insurance that meets the most important policy elements, while staying on budget. Agents personally meet with every business owner to design a plan for success and by so doing create lifelong relationships where profits can be protected and loss exposures minimized. The executives at Charlotte Insurance realize business owners regard their businesses as more than just work, but also a place that enables them to enjoy life and provide for their family. They thrive on being part of that process to help their clients achieve their goals. Charlotte Insurance was listed as one of Charlotte’s Best Places to work for two of the last three years. Among his many civic contributions, President and CEO, Marty Karriker, has sat on the boards of the March of Dimes Foundation, while contributing to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Ruckus House Scholarship Foundation among many others.”

The team at Charlotte Insurance is thrilled to receive this recognition given the tough economic times that have had a negative impact on many local and national businesses.

The GMAC Insurance Distracted Driving Study, part of the 7^th Annual National Drivers Test, asked drivers about their driving habits to determine just how focused people are when they’re behind the wheel. Fifty-six percent of the national driving public said they have completely eliminated making calls, texting and sending emails while they’re behind the wheel. And, another 32 percent said they’re using their phones less while driving.

The most startling numbers come from the 16-17 year old drivers on the roads. Seventy-five percent of the youngest drivers said they have completely eliminated usage of their mobile devices while driving. In fact, this youngest age group is the most likely to say they have completely eliminated mobile phone usage behind the wheel. Right behind the youngest drivers are the oldest drivers on the road. Seventy-two percent of drivers age 60-65 said they have completely eliminated mobile phone usage behind the wheel.

The worst offenders are the drivers age 25-34. Seventy-two percent of drivers in this age group are still admittedly using their cell phones to make calls, text and even send email.

While there’s a noticeable difference in distracted driving habits across different age groups, there’s not much of a difference between men and women. Fifty-eight percent of men and 54 percent of women say they have completely eliminated the use of their mobile devices while driving.

The biggest deterrents stopping people from using their mobile phones behind the wheel have been news stories featuring accidents caused by distracted driving, mobile phone bans and laws and ad campaigns and initiatives that urge people to put their mobile devices away while driving. Interestingly, eight out of 10 drivers say they have never been distracted or even came close to having an accident due to using a mobile device while driving.

WHAT IS IT – It’s “on-the-job” insurance for injured workers.

Workers’ comp provides benefits to your employees for work-related injuries or illnesses. This includes reasonable expenses for necessary medical care, wages from lost work time, disability benefits and survivor or death benefits.

WHY DO YOU NEED IT – Health insurance is not a substitute.

When one of your employees gets hurt on the job or has a work-related illness, only workers’ comp will cover them. Health insurance won’t even consider the expenses, like your employee’s pay or medical deductibles.

WHAT IT COVERS – Full-time, part-time – maybe even you.

The laws vary by state, but full-time and part-time employees are covered by workers’ comp and in some states business owners, partners and officers may be covered too.

WHAT IT COSTS – Rates are based on three key factors.

It depends on the business you’re in, your workers’ comp track record and how that compares to other companies in the same business. And finally, it depends on how much you pay your people.

ABOUT CLAIMS – Report it right away, big or small.

The best thing you can do for your employees – and for you – is to immediately report all on-the-job injuries or work-related illnesses. This will help them get the care they need and protect you in case their small cut with a few stitches turns into something much bigger down the road.

AUDITS – An audit is a good thing.  Really.

The purpose of an audit is to make sure you’re paying the right premium so that you don’t pay too much or too little. The result may even be a refund.

HOW TO BUY IT – Your choice today could last a lifetime.

Having workers’ comp may not be a choice. But who you get it from is. Ask questions, compare coverage and look at reputation. Your decision could make the difference in the life of your employees.

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