Partners Insurance Group Brings Brings Newly Enhanced Distractology Tour to Seekonk

Partners Insurance Group is proud to bring the newly relaunched Distractology tour to Seekonk during the week of April 11-15. Developed and funded by the Arbella Insurance Foundation, Distractology was one of the first programs in the country to address distracted driving with young, inexperienced drivers. The campaign features a 36-foot-long mobile classroom outfitted with two high-tech driving simulators designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of distracted driving, including texting while driving. Drivers who have completed Distractology are proven to be 19 percent less likely to have an accident and 25 percent less likely to get traffic violations*.

Teens have the highest crash rate of any group in the United States. A 2015 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that distraction was a factor in nearly six out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. What’s more, 40 percent of teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cellphone in a way that put people in danger. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

“Distracted driving continues to be a dangerous epidemic that affects our youth at alarming rates,” said John Donohue, chairman, president and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Group and chairman of the Arbella Insurance Foundation. “Distractology has proven highly effective in reducing the chances of a traffic violation by giving students across New England a firsthand look at the devastating consequences of driving while distracted. We’re proud to extend our commitment to keeping our roads safe one student at a time through Distractology.”

To date, more than 11,000 new drivers, meaning those that have been licensed less than three years or have a learner’s permit, have completed the Distractology training. During the driving simulations, teens and other new drivers face a number of updated scenarios based on real-world examples, related to smartphones, the radio, and food and drink, in residential and highway conditions. Distractology also features striking new graphics inside and out of drivers whose heads have morphed into the distractions that consume them. The images illustrate the way distractions, like phones, food and drink, and the radio, can take full control of drivers’ minds, diverting their attention from the road. The images reflect the new tagline: “Don’t let distractions take over.” Ninety-six percent of students who participated in the program would recommend it to their friends – a strong indication of the impact Distractology is having on local drivers.

“Distractology plays a vital role in educating New England teens on the dangers of distracted driving, and the revamped trailer truly illustrates how distractions take your full attention away from driving,” said Michelle McDonald of Partners Insurance Group. “While legislation and awareness continue to mount, it’s these hands-on scenarios and accompanying education that have the greatest impact. The entire Partners team is proud to host the Distractology tour for teens at Seekonk High School.”

The Distractology curriculum and simulator are based on Arbella Insurance Foundation-funded research conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). Distractology, will travel to various communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island during the 2016-2017 school year, offering 45 minutes of simulated distracted driving to each participant. Fully funded by the Arbella Insurance Foundation, Distractology is free to eligible drivers.

About the Arbella Insurance Group and the Arbella Insurance Foundation

Established in 1988, the Arbella Insurance Group (www.arbella.com) is a company with more than $800M in revenue with over 1 billion dollars in assets, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Arbella is a customer-focused regional property and casualty insurance company, providing personal and business insurance in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and business insurance in Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Arbella Insurance Group founded the Arbella Insurance Foundation in 2004. The mission of Arbella’s Foundation is to engage in activities and to support not-for-profit organizations that have a significant positive impact on the people and communities served by Arbella.

About Partners Insurance Group

Partners Strength. A strong partner provides expertise and support when you need it most. With the ever changing landscape of insurance, the need for a strong partner has never been greater. Partners Insurance Group is an independent agency with access to reputable and competitive insurance companies providing tailored solutions for your individual needs.

* Results are based upon data obtained from Arbella Mutual Insurance Company’s youthful operators who took the Distractology training when compared to those who did not from 2010 through 2014.