Almost two-thirds of U.S. drivers said they know they shouldn't use their cellphones while driving, but do so anyway, according to The Zebra, which reported an infraction for distracted driving can cause insurance rates to increase as much as 23%. Further showing the insurance industry's hard stance on distracted driving, rate increases for receiving a distracted driving ticket have increased substantially since 2011, when a driver cited for distracted driving would pay about $5 more for car insurance than someone with a clean driving record, The Zebra reported, noting the penalty increased more than 7,000% during the past decade. As with all things auto insurance, the premium increase following a distracted driving citation varies by state. Connecticut drivers face the steepest penalties, with rate increases of more than 60% on average. New York sees the smallest increase at just 4%. The Zebra found that drivers it dubbed "chronic speeders," or those who report driving 10 mpg over the limit "always or "most of the time," are more likely to engage with their cellphones while driving than cautious drivers ("rarely" or "never" go 10 mph over the speed limit. Around 60% of drivers admit to reading on a phone or other device while behind the wheel, while 56% said they've sent a text while driving, according to The Zebra. However, there are a lot of other distractions fighting for drivers' attention, and the above slideshow reveals the 10 most common distractions motorists admit to partaking in. Related:
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