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UNDERSTANDING DISTRACTED DRIVING: 5 QUESTIONS FOR ARITY’S HENRY KOWAL

The use of smartphones while driving continues to rise. Risk & Insurance spoke
with Arity’s director of outbound product management about how telematics can
help us understand driver behavior — and save lives.
By: David Agnew | April 26, 2024
Topics: Automotive | Q&As



Some insurance trends are hard to identify. Rising auto insurance premiums is
not one of them: All 10 of the largest auto underwriters raised their premiums
by double digits in 2023, per S&P Global Market Intelligence. According to
Bankrate, this translated into a 26% year-over-year increase in the average cost
of a full-coverage car insurance policy.

There are a few possible reasons for this — the rising cost to repair or replace
damaged vehicles, for instance, or the increase in nuclear verdicts — but the
simplest explanation is that drivers are simply getting into more accidents.



During the work-from-home boom of 2020, the number of auto accidents per mile
dropped, but the number of auto accident fatalities went up, even measured in
real terms. Over the following year, 2021, auto fatalities didn’t just rise to
pre-pandemic levels — they reached the worst levels we’ve seen since 2005, a
jump that represents the largest year-over-year increase in almost half a
century, according to recent figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA).

The same report identified a 12% year-over-year increase in fatal crashes
involving at least one distracted driver.

Our pre-pandemic benchmarks were nothing to boast about, either: In 2019,
according to NHTSA data, distracted driving — defined as handling a phone or
taking calls while driving — was a factor in thousands of accidents, claiming
untold lives and inflicting $98 billion in damage.

Things have only gotten worse since then. In a study released last year by
Arity, a mobility data and analytics company founded by Allstate in 2016, data
showed a 30% increase in distracted driving between 2019 and 2023. In fact, the
rise of distracted driving mirrors the rise of smartphones quite closely, and
anecdotal evidence suggests that collisions with stationary objects now make up
a larger proportion of accidents. It’s not hard to connect the dots.



Unsurprisingly, Arity’s latest study on distracted driving, released April 1,
shows that distracted driving has risen yet again in 2024. Writing about
distracted driving in Fast Company, Arity president Gary Hallgren said that “our
transportation system is broken, and it’s incurring a significant human cost …
By using the vast amount of data available to us, we can better understand the
shape and nature of problems, identify effective solutions, and build on
progress over time.”

Risk & Insurance® spoke with Henry Kowal, director, outbound product management,
insurance solutions at Arity, to gain more insight into what’s influencing the
surge in distracted driving and how we can tackle the problem. This interview
has been edited for length and clarity.

Risk & Insurance: How does Arity collect data on driver behavior? What kinds of
data do you capture and what insights are extracted?

Henry Kowal, director, outbound product management, insurance solutions, Arity

Henry Kowal: As a mobility and data analytics company focused on improving
transportation, Arity collects and analyzes an enormous amount of data. And what
I mean by enormous is that we’ve collected over 1.6 trillion miles of driving
data since our inception in 2016.

On a daily basis, we collect approximately 1 billion miles’ worth of data. By
combining this data with predictive analytics, we build solutions aimed at
making transportation smarter, safer and more useful for everyone.

Our driving data covers the entire United States, down to the county and ZIP
code level. About 65% of our data comes from arterial roadways, which include
not only highways but also suburban and rural roads. So we have a strong pulse
on what is happening on roadways across the U.S. in terms of both driving
activity and behavior.

We collect this driving data from various sources with user consent, including
mobile consumer apps like Life360 and GasBuddy, insurance telematics programs
like Allstate’s Drivewise or Texas Farm Bureau’s Drive’n Save, and connected
vehicles from top automakers.

From the collected data, we can determine specific driver behaviors such as hard
braking frequency, speeding, rapid acceleration and distracted driving. We can
also understand the contextual elements of driving, including the types of
roadways traveled — highway, rural or suburban — the driver’s speed relative to
the posted speed limit, and whether they are navigating through busy
intersections.

Furthermore, our analysis enables us to examine driving events in combination.
For example, our data shows that if a driver is talking on their phone while
driving and immediately follows that with a hard braking event, the potential
insurance cost of such an incident is typically 60% higher due to the
relationship between distracted driving and risky behavior.

R&I: What trends have you observed in the auto space the past decade?



HK: The number of vehicle-related fatalities has risen 30% over the past decade.
And even though the number decreased 0.3% in 2022, it still remains higher than
what we observed in the early 2010s — which a cause for concern. As vehicle
safety technology continues to advance, one would expect to see a more
pronounced downward trend. The lack of such a trend suggests that there are
other factors at play, such as distracted driving or increased miles driven,
which may be offsetting the benefits of improved vehicle safety features.

At Arity, we closely monitored driving behavior during the pandemic. Initially,
in April and May 2020, we saw a massive decline in miles driven as people
sheltered at home and worked remotely. However, during this time, speeding
increased, quite often to rates higher than 80 miles per hour.

But as COVID restrictions eased and people began to venture out more, we noticed
that although the total miles driven were still lower than pre-pandemic levels,
the frequency of high-risk behaviors, such as speeding and hard braking, had
increased. This trend suggests that while fewer people were driving, those who
were on the roads were engaging in riskier behaviors.

As we move further away from the height of the pandemic, driving patterns
continue to evolve. While miles driven are gradually returning to pre-pandemic
levels, the heightened frequency of risky driving behaviors persists.

Our data shows that distracted driving increased more than 30% from 2019 to
2024. According to the latest data released by the NHTSA on April 1st, there
were approximately 3,000 fatalities in 2022 where distracted driving was a
leading factor. The report also showed an increase in the number of pedestrian
and cyclist fatalities and estimated that around 600 of these fatalities were
related to distracted driving. Additionally, an estimated 289,000 people were
injured in distracted driving-related crashes.

R&I: Is there a connection between drivers being forced to slow down, such as in
heavy traffic or bad weather conditions, and an increase in distracted driving?

HK: Yes, our data shows that when drivers are forced to slow down, they are more
likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors, particularly phone use.

It’s a concerning trend, because even at low speeds, distracted driving poses
significant risks. Slowed traffic often involves stop-and-go movement and
requires drivers to remain alert. But our data indicates that during slow-moving
traffic and congested commutes, people are more inclined to reach for their
phones and use them while driving.

Conversely, on days like Sunday, when there is typically less traffic and
congestion on the roads, people tend to drive at higher speeds and engage in
more highway driving. In these circumstances, there is less phone distraction
observed.

R&I: Surveys show that many drivers admit to engaging in behaviors they know are
risky. What explains the disconnect between drivers acknowledging the risk of
behaviors like hard braking and speeding but still engaging in them?



HK: It’s a fascinating disconnect, isn’t it? People clearly understand that
certain behaviors behind the wheel are risky, but many still choose to engage in
them. This highlights the complex psychology of driving.

Cognitive dissonance plays a significant role here. Drivers may rationalize
their unsafe behaviors, thinking “I can handle it,” or “It won’t happen to me.”
This mindset allows them to maintain their self-image as capable drivers while
engaging in behaviors they know to be dangerous.

Additionally, the sense of control and anonymity that comes with driving can
lead to overconfidence and a feeling of invincibility. The immediate
gratification of arriving at a destination faster or the thrill of speeding can
override the intellectual understanding of the risks involved.

Some research also suggests a concept called compensatory belief, where
individuals believe they can mitigate risky behavior with other safe behaviors —
for example, that driving slower can minimize the impact and risk of distracted
driving.

In heavy traffic, people might assume that driving slower, having others around
them moving slowly, and staying in a single lane reduces the impact of
distracted driving. This might help explain the disconnect between understanding
the risk and still engaging in the behavior.

One way to address this is through education campaigns that debunk myths,
emphasizing that there are still risks to distracted driving even at low speeds
or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Another approach is through awareness and
technology, such as insurance telematics programs like our smartphone app,
Routely.

Routely measures a user’s driving and provides feedback on their habits,
including speeding, hard braking and phone use. Individuals who participate
typically improve their driving behavior: Within 30 days, about 20% of
distracted drivers see an improvement of about half in their behavior, and the
best participants see a 70% improvement.

The app also incorporates gamification, tracking how many trips a user can drive
distraction-free and resetting the count when they drive distracted. That
internal self-gamification effect helps improve behavior.

While these methods can help curb distraction, there is still a long way to go,
and more needs to be done to address this issue effectively.

R&I: How can auto insurance companies use telematics programs to incentivize
safer driving behaviors and potentially reduce insurance rates for individuals?

HK: For those who are not yet safe drivers, telematics programs can serve as a
motivator for improvement. By enrolling in the program, drivers can receive
personalized coaching based on their specific driving behaviors. This feedback
empowers them to enhance their driving performance, potentially earning them a
discount or a better rate at their next auto insurance renewal.

Ultimately, tying driving behavior to auto insurance rates through telematics
programs can be an effective way to encourage safer driving habits. It leverages
the financial impact on an individual’s pocketbook as an incentive for positive
change.

Telematics programs can also benefit the insurance company, which aims to have
as many safe drivers as possible in their book of business. By analyzing driving
behavior, insurers can more accurately assess risk and price policies
accordingly. This data-driven approach lets insurers offer personalized premiums
based on individual driving habits, rewarding safe drivers with lower rates.

Telematics data can also help insurers identify and mitigate fraudulent claims.
By reconstructing accident scenarios using telematics data, insurers can
validate the authenticity of claims and reduce costs associated with fraudulent
activities.

By leveraging telematics data, insurers can not only offer more accurate pricing
but also incentivize safer driving behaviors, ultimately leading to fewer
accidents and lower claims costs. &

David Agnew is an associate editor at Risk & Insurance®. He can be reached at
agnew@theinstitutes.org.





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DANGEROUS JOBS: WHY HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE CRITICAL TO PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS

The implementation of an annual wellness-fitness program can improve firefighter
fitness and ultimately help save lives.
By: Concentra | May 1, 2024

It’s impossible to ignore the great risks taken by firefighters. They experience
injuries in large numbers and there is significant loss of life. Almost half of
this loss of life is due to cardiovascular events. Additionally, studies suggest
that there is an increased risk of the development of certain cancers.

These brave men and women put their lives on the line to rescue and protect
others. They won’t hesitate to run into a burning building while wearing heavy
gear and carrying heavy equipment in order to save lives.

“ Their job requires a combination of performance, mobility, strength and
endurance, and it often exposes them to environmental hazards and psychosocial
hazards as well,” said Dr. Latha Brubaker, senior vice president of medical
operations at Concentra.

“Being a firefighter can be physically difficult, it can be dangerous, and the
impact of fighting fires and rescue can have a behavioral health impact, as
well.”

Given the physical and emotional challenges associated with their jobs,
firefighters need to be in top physical condition. Regular holistic health
screenings and preventive conditioning programs can help protect these heroes,
ensuring they have long careers serving their communities.


A DANGEROUS JOB

Dr. Latha Brubaker, Senior Vice President Medical Operations at Concentra

To understand the physical and mental health threats firefighters face, it’s
important to examine how firefighting exposes them to a number of different
risks. Their job is physically taxing. They must wear heavy gear to protect them
from high-temperature exposure while rescuing people and pets. They have to
climb ladders and stairs during rescue operations. Although wearing masks to
limit these exposures, firefighters can inhale smoke and be exposed to harmful
chemicals and environmental toxins, increasing their risk of certain cancers.

“Firefighters have to climb ladders and stairs, all the while hauling very heavy
and unruly fire hoses and wearing very heavy equipment and PPE,” Brubaker said.

While completing these physically demanding tasks, firefighters can inhale smoke
and other environmental toxins, increasing their risks of certain cancers. A
study of 30,000 firefighters spanning from 1950 to 2009 found that firefighters
were 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from
the disease than the general population.

Outside of the physically taxing elements, firefighters often work in
distressing circumstances. There may be thoughts of the personal risks taken to
save others. They witness significant injuries and loss of life.

All of these situations have the potential to be emotionally distressing for
firefighters. That’s why a number of states — including California, Tennessee,
Florida and Georgia — have passed or are considering passing laws that include
PTSD benefits under workers’ comp coverage for firefighters.

“We’ve really doubled down on our commitment to behavioral health, and we’ve
gone so far as to partner with some third-party resources that have expanded our
ability to provide behavioral health support,” said Chris Studebaker, senior
director of onsite preventive services at Concentra.


PROTECTING FIREFIGHTER HEALTH

Chris Studebaker, Senior Director of Onsite Preventive Services at Concentra

Unlike in other professions, it’s hard to reduce the number of physical and
environmental hazards a firefighter faces on the job. Yes, PPE can go a long way
in protecting firefighters from burns and other injuries, but the physical
demands are also extreme. Firefighters are wrangling heavy fire hoses to stop
the damage. In addition, they are often lifting people and maneuvering in
confined or challenging spaces.

In order to make sure firefighters are up to the task, many departments conduct
annual physical health assessments so that they can be certain their
firefighters are physically and mentally prepared for the job. Medical personnel
follow the guidelines provided by the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Standard 1582 on Comprehensive Occupational Medicine Programs for Fire
Departments which helps them determine if there is a condition present that may
prevent a firefighter from performing their essential job functions.

The Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative, comprised of two major
fire service organizations, worked to develop a comprehensive wellness-fitness
program. Based on this initiative, NFPA developed standards regulating these
programs. This resulted in the suggestion of adding cancer screening, fitness
assessments, and behavioral health screening to the periodic health assessments
of firefighters.

“Some fire departments are now asking us to perform cancer screening,” Brubaker
said. “Cancer screening recommendations are made by the US Preventive Services
Task Force, for example, and are based on a systematic review of scientific
evidence published in peer-reviewed journals. When determining the appropriate
screening tests, it is important to review the USPSTF recommendations with the
understanding of the potential additional risks amongst firefighters for certain
cancers.

Sleep health is another area of issue in the fire service due to the 24 or
48-hour shift schedule and the mental strain and stress of the job.

Beyond screenings, firehouses can opt to partner with providers of on-site
health services, including physical therapists who can work collaboratively with
employers to develop and implement injury-prevention programs. Known as
“tactical athlete programs” because their rigor is like that of the training a
pro athlete would undergo, these solutions can help catch injuries before they
become severe and help keep firefighters’ bodies functioning optimally to enable
them to perform their job.

Wearable technologies, too, are likely to play a role in keeping firefighters
safe in the future: “We’re seeing the use of wearable tech sensors that look at
environmental exposures and heat. And now the technologies can even track their
sleep health” Studebaker said. “I think the future of wearable tech is going to
shift away from discrete individual devices and more towards garment-based
sensors.”


A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR FIREFIGHTER PHYSICALS

 The physical rigor required to fight fires combined with the emotional
stressors present in the job mean that employers need to put extra care into
guarding firefighters’ health and safety. Firefighters should undergo regular
physical exams, and Concentra is just the partner they need to conduct these
physicals.

Concentra clinicians perform examinations, imaging, and lab tests that meet the
National Fire Protection Association standards.

Firefighters who undergo these examinations will complete a physical fitness
test that assesses their lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, climbing and other
abilities. These kinds of assessments can guard against musculoskeletal injuries
common in the industry.

Should an injury occur, the clinician utilizes a conservative treatment
approach, with an emphasis on active rehabilitation. Since firefighters are in
safety sensitive positions, opioids are usually avoided.

“ Musculoskeletal injuries can be managed without the use of opioids,” Brubaker
said. “Our approach is a conservative one with the use of physical therapy, when
appropriate, and anti-inflammatory medication, if needed. We try to avoid
prescribing opioids. Opioids are typically unnecessary.”

A Concentra clinician will perform lab tests including a complete blood count,
comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, and urinalysis as well as TB tests. 
They will do alcohol and drug tests.  They will perform audiograms, pulmonary
function tests, chest X-rays and EKGs.  They will complete a cardiovascular risk
assessment and depending on age and the level of risks, a stress test will be
performed either at the onsite clinic or a cardiology office.

“It’s important for us to make sure in the first place that they’re healthy from
a cardiovascular perspective, that they’re healthy from a respiratory
perspective,” Studebaker said.

Behavioral health screening and cancer screening can be performed at Concentra
Onsite Health clinics. Clinicians can conduct screenings for six cancers
firefighters are at elevated risk for: colorectal, prostate, skin, blood,
thyroid and bladder.

Concentra Onsite Health clinicians assess firefighters’ health holistically —
something that is essential for a job that is both physically and emotionally
taxing. By providing whole-person care, Concentra Onsite Health aims to guard
firefighters’ health so that they can come home to their families after a day of
protecting others.

“Most firefighters are very passionate about the work they do. They are vital
members of their community and take risks every day to keep these communities
safe.  The work of a firefighter can have an adverse impact on their long-term
health and well-being. It is equally vital that we take care of our firefighters
and do what we can to improve their overall health.”

To learn more, visit: https://www.concentra.com/






This article was produced by the R&I Brand Studio, a unit of the advertising
department of Risk & Insurance, in collaboration with Concentra. The editorial
staff of Risk & Insurance had no role in its preparation.

Concentra® is America’s leading provider of occupational medicine, delivering
work-related injury care, physical therapy, and workforce health services from
nearly 520 Concentra medical centers and more than 150 onsite clinics at
employer locations nationwide.







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