In the last twelve months, 5,474 deaths were attributed to drivers who were distracted by doing things such as talking on a cell phone, texting, or eating.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released their yearly numbers, and said that despite a six-percent drop in distracted-driving deaths, it still remained at an epidemic level, and distracted-driving deaths increased to 16 percent of all traffic related deaths, up from 10% in 2005. 

Obviously, the best way to avoid distracted-driving accidents is to never use your cell phone while driving, something which is increasingly becoming illegal in more cities across the country.  Besides the obvious benefits of saving lives, reducing distractions while driving can help keep you accident-free, thus lowering the cost of your auto insurance policy.

[Source: Bloomberg News]

Among the many things to avoid doing in this world, not opening your window/sunroof/door while going through a car wash seems like a pretty obvious one.  That was not the case for one man, who decided it would be a good idea to adjust his windshield wiper blade after a pass of the automatic car wash system. 

Unfortunately for the man, his Chinese-fire-drill attempt at saving a windshield wiper that can be replaced at an AutoZone for about ten buckscost him a car door, as the machine made another pass dragging the entire car with it.  Will good auto insurance cover something like this?  Usually, but even skipping the bill on replacing your door is nothing like the embarrassment of a security camera sharing the footage for the world to see.  A “Soft Touch” car wash, this was not.

[Source: YouTube]

A Bellevue, Washington bride nearly had her big day ruined as she was arrested for drunk driving while heading home from her bachelorette party hours before her wedding was planned to take place. The woman was driving over 90 MPH weaving in and out of traffic. Luckily the trooper let her take a cab home and she was able to make her wedding in time.  The officer reported the woman’s BAC was nearly twice the state limit. No word on whether or not she had valid auto insurance.

You would think after your own bachelorette party, someone could give you a ride home or at least call a cab for you.  Mark down her wedding party as the worst friends ever.

[Source: MSNBC]