Don't be a multitasker when behind the wheel

America is the land of multitaskers. Admit it, you are among those who talk on the phone while putting away dishes or folding laundry, and eat breakfast and/or lunch on the go while traveling from one appointment to the next.

Well, you may want to rethink your ways. Last summer, Exxon surveyed 1,000 drivers and discovered more than 70 percent of them eat while driving and 83 percent drink beverages while on the road. These statistics are staggering, considering a 2006 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study showing that 80 percent of car accidents and 65 percent of near accidents are caused by drivers who are distracted, which includes eating or drinking on the road.

Dunking French fries into ketchup, or reaching into the cup holder to grab a drink, not only forces you to take one hand off of the steering wheel, but to take your eyes off of the road for a second or two. That instant when your attention is turned away from the task at hand could very well be the time when the car in front of you stops suddenly or when the road takes a sharp, unexpected turn.

Because of the danger eating or drinking a beverage while driving presents, avoiding this practice at all costs is among the 70 driving safety tips offered by RoadTripAmerica.com. The site also recommends that drivers pull over when they need to talk on their cell phone, to send a text message or e-mail, to consult a map for driving directions or care for a fussy child when driving in traffic.

If you aren't already following these good driving tips, it would be a good idea to change your habits in the interest of avoiding an accident. According to a Harvard University study, it is estimated that cell phone-distracted drivers are four times more likely to be in a car wreck.

Serious or not, one thing's for sure: Once there's an accident on your record, whether it's your fault or not, your car insurance rates may go up. Insurance companies can increase your rates for up to three years from when the increase first appears on your bill. So if your accident happened in June, but your policy doesn't renew until January, your three years will typically begin in January.

If you have an accident on your record, but it has been more than three years since it happened, be sure to point that out when requesting auto insurance quotes online so you can be sure that you are getting the best rates available.

Courtesy of ARAcontent