How many gadgets do you have in your car? If it’s a newer model, the answer is probably “way too many.”

Though it’s nice to have GPS to help you figure out where you’re going, a video game system to keep the kids in the back seat busy, voice control that lets you change the radio station or turn on the air conditioner, and a hands-free cell phone, these devices can dramatically impact driving safety.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the use of electronic entertainment and communication devices, especially cell phones, is of great concern. On the organization’s website, www.nhtsa.org, it is clearly stated that “the primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely and the task of driving requires full attention and focus. So, drivers should resist engaging in any activity that takes their eyes and attention off the road for more than a couple of seconds.”

In some circumstances even a second or two can make all the difference in a driver being able to avoid a crash. Statistics gathered by the NHTSA in 2008 show that nearly 6,000 people died and a half million others were injured after learning that lesson the hard way.

The problem has gotten so bad, in fact, that the Obama Administration recently issued an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving on government business or with government equipment. Although not a law, the Department of Transportation (DOT) recently launched “Put it Down,” a national campaign that focuses on the key messages that drivers can’t do two things at once.

Many auto insurance companies have launched driving safety programs of their own. Allstate, for example, offers its customers the opportunity to save on premiums if they choose to take a state-approved defensive driving class. The company also has a Teen Safe Driving Program that provides parents with tools that can be used to help teens become safe drivers.

Among the resources found on the website, www.Allstate.com: a Parent-Teen Driving contract, tips that can help young drivers become good drivers, and information about ways parents can save on insurance when they add a young driver to their policy. When seeking car insurance quotes for a young driver, be sure to ask about any opportunities to help make insurance coverage more affordable.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Susie Colgrove patiently weaves fabric on a loom last Wednesday at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historical Site, located at Lerna Ill, 402 South Lincoln Highway road. The loom was built by Stephen Sargent in the 19th century. (Chaz LeGrand/The Daily Easter

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