Save Money by Slowing Down

Save Money by Slowing Down

One issue that plagues most drivers is speed. Although we have speed limits everywhere you go, the vast majority of drivers exceed these limits, sometimes significantly. However, just because many people do it doesn’t mean that it’s the right thing to do. 

Today we want to cover some of the primary benefits of slowing down and how it can help keep you and your car safe. 

Speeding Statistics

Although cars are always becoming safer, they’re still massive machines of metal and glass that can kill a person with enough force. Unfortunately, there has been a recent uptick in traffic fatalities,(1) and according to the National Transportation Safety Board, speeding is a prevalent cause.(2) 

In fact, about 31% of all fatalities were caused by speeding, a figure that’s pretty close to drunk driving. This problem is so prevalent that about one in every six drivers on the road is pulled over for going too fast. Overall, about 41 million speeding tickets are issued every year in the US. 

Save Money by Slowing Down

Obviously, the dangers present in speeding are widespread, but most people believe that they can react in time to avoid a collision. However, if you think about the financial costs of speeding, you may feel differently next time you’re behind the wheel. Here’s how putting the pedal to the metal can cost you. 

Speeding Tickets

Depending on where you live, a ticket can be several hundred dollars. Remember, you have a one in six chance of being pulled over, so is it worth the risk? Just a couple of tickets in a year can set you back substantially. 

Insurance Rates

Insurance companies want to minimize their risk of paying a claim. While they can’t always monitor your driving habits, they can look at things like moving violations and speeding tickets. The more of these you have, the higher your rates will be. 

One thing that companies consider as well is how much you were going over the speed limit. For example, getting pulled over for going 40 in a 35 is not as bad as going 65 in the same zone. Higher speeds can mean bigger tickets, as well as more substantial penalties. 

Overall, going fast is not worth the risk. Not only are you putting yourself in danger, but you could be hurting your wallet too. Slow down, and you’ll avoid many of these risks. 


  1. 2015–2016 US Transportation Fatalities & 2016–2017 US Transportation Fatalities
  2. NTSB Aims to Reduce Speeding-Related Crashes

Avoid Deadly Distractions Behind the Wheel

Avoid Deadly Distractions Behind the Wheel

Many people have a limited definition of “distracted driving”: They think it only means texting behind the wheel.

There’s good reason for that, because texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention – the same attention required for safe driving. But although texting is perhaps the most dangerous distraction, there are many others that can impact how you drive, whether you realize it or not. And they can be just as deadly.

How deadly? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2015 more than 390,000 people were injured in crashes caused by distracted drivers – with more than 3,200 killed. (Distracted Driving 2016 stats: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812517)

Here are just a few of the things that can distract drivers on the road:

  • Talking on the phone, even with a hands-free device.
  • Eating or drinking.
  • Talking to passengers.
  • Grooming (yes, there really are people who apply makeup or shave on their way to work).
  • Reading, including maps.
  • Adjusting the stereo.

Younger drivers are the most distracted of all – according to the government’s distraction.gov  website, people in their 20s make up 38% of drivers who were using cell phones before a fatal crash, and 10% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted, too.

With distractions more prevalent than ever (more than 150 billion text messages are sent in the U.S. every month), how can you, and those you love, be safer behind the wheel? Here are a few tips:

Don’t use the phone: This includes texting as well as talking, unless it’s an emergency. Even hands-free conversations can take your attention off the road.

Eat before you leave, or after you get there: Scarfing down that burger with one hand on the wheel means your focus is divided – and you probably don’t have as much control over your car as you should. Bonus benefit: Keeping your meals and your driving separate means you’re much less likely to get ketchup on your pants.

Know where you’re going: Nobody likes to be lost. But messing around with your car’s GPS (or the maps app on your smartphone) while you’re moving can lead to something you’ll hate even more – an accident.

Talk to your family about safe driving: Having a conversation with your spouse as they’re driving home? That’s a perfect opportunity to say, “I’ll let you focus on the road; we can talk when you get here.” And if you have young drivers in the household, be sure to have a conversation about their phones and other potential issues, such as their passengers – a key distraction for teens.

Watch for other distracted drivers: Just because you aren’t distracted doesn’t mean that other drivers are focused on safe driving. Stay in control and be vigilant – you’ll be ready to react when someone else makes the wrong move.

Distracted driving isn’t just “one of those things” that happens, like a tire blowout or mechanical failure that isn’t anyone’s fault. It’s 100% preventable – and by committing to avoiding distractions while you drive, you’ll help make the road safer for everyone.

Stay Fun and Safe This Football Season

Stay Fun and Safe This Football Season

With the fall underway, that means three things – changing leaves, colder temperatures, and football! Football in Knoxville is always a great time, which is why so many people look forward to this time of year. 

At Bob Johnson Insurance, we want to make sure that your time following your favorite team is both enjoyable and safe, which is why we’re offering some tried and true tips for your next outing. 

Consider Cleanliness

While tailgating is fun for the food and the camaraderie, it can also bring massive messes. From a sloppy grill to paper cups and plates everywhere, you could spend just as much time cleaning up afterward as you did cooking and eating. 

Thus, be sure to plan ahead when thinking about tailgating. Bring plenty of garbage bags, and try to minimize the mess as you go so that it doesn’t pile up too much once it’s all over. Also, avoid glass containers, as they can be a safety hazard if they fall and break. 

Be Travel Smart

Seeing a game live is an excellent way to cheer your team, but getting to and from the stadium can be a pain, especially when it comes to traffic and parking. Instead, plan a different way of getting there, such as with a carpool or public transportation. Also, memorize your route so that you don’t get lost. 

Dress Appropriately

Although Knoxville weather isn’t as crazy as other parts of the country, it can get brisk. Of course, you’ll be wearing your team’s colors and jersey, but be sure to bundle up too if you’re going to be outside for a long time. 

Only Bring Essentials

If you like to get a little wild at the game or your favorite sports restaurant, then do yourself a favor by leaving valuables at home. There’s nothing worse than having to retrace your steps because you lost something (i.e., a credit card). Also, keep an eye on your smartphone, as those can be easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. 

Check Your Insurance 

Most people don’t think about their insurance policies too much unless something terrible happens. However, now is the perfect time to check in and make sure that you have the right coverage. Some helpful hints:

Roadside Assistance – If you break down on the way to the game, will you be able to get towed? 

Umbrella Coverage – Having friends over to watch the game is great, but what happens if things get a little rowdy and someone gets hurt? 

Auto Coverage – Leaving your car unattended can always be a risk. Make sure you’re protected from accidental vandalism or theft. 

This football season, it helps to be practical. Give BJI a quick call or click here to contact us just to make sure your coverage is adequate. Planning ahead and having the right mindset will ensure that you can relax and enjoy the game more easily. From all of us at Bob Johnson Insurance, go Vols!

Back to School Safety: Bullying and School Life

Back to School Safety Guide

Unfortunately, these days, there is a lot of talk about bullies and how they can impact your child’s ability to learn and enjoy school. This is an issue that has to be discussed beforehand so that your kid can be prepared if he or she experiences it.

Here are some guidelines to follow.

  • Tell a teacher when you’re being bullied.
  • Try to avoid the bully whenever possible.
  • As a parent, you may want to try talking to the bully or his/her parent to find out why he or she is acting out.
  • Don’t ignore the issue and hope that it goes away.

Another crucial element to this is letting your child know that he or she can talk to you about school problems at any time. Whether it’s bullying, classwork, or stress that comes from school experiences, it’s imperative that your kid feel comfortable talking to you about it. Now is the time when he or she will be developing a social persona, so you want to cultivate a nurturing and supportive environment. If your child feels as if he or she can’t talk to you, then it will only lead to bigger problems such as depression and anxiety.

Back to School Safety: General School Preparation Guidelines

Back to School Safety Guide

While safety and security are essential for both you and your children, there are plenty of different ways that you can make this time easier for everyone involved. Rather than getting stressed and trying to deal with problems as they arise, it’s so much better to plan ahead and stay on top of things before they get out of hand.

So, with that in mind, here are some general tips to make going to back to school as smooth a transition as possible.

  • Train your kids to wake up on time. Over the summer, it’s easy to get into bad habits with a wonky sleep schedule. Thus, a great way to minimize the pain and frustration that comes from waking up early, start your kids on a mock school routine a couple of weeks before their first class.
  • Meet their teachers. It’s always a good idea to get a sense of who will be interacting with your child on a regular basis. During these meetings, you can not only see where your kids will be learning, but you can discuss any potential concerns that you may have before classes start.
  • Keep them healthy. Most kids these days have terrible diets, and many schools can’t afford to offer nutritious lunches to make up for that fact. As a result, your child may be eating a lot of high-calorie fatty foods and sugary drinks. Teach your little one how to eat properly and plan meals ahead of time to avoid instilling bad habits.
  • Organize their clothes and school outfits. Shopping for new apparel is an essential part of the back to school process, but you don’t want to struggle to get your kids out the door because they can’t find their favorite shirt. If your children are old enough to start managing their clothes on their own, then now’s the time to show them how to stay organized. Otherwise, help them out so that you can save time and frustration in the morning.
  • Pay attention to their backpack. Unfortunately, kids will wind up having to carry tons of books around on a daily basis. If possible, get a backpack that provides additional support so that it doesn’t put too much pressure on their shoulders. Also, pay attention to how they pack it so that they don’t miss anything for class (such as homework or supplies).

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

Back to School Safety: Review Your Insurance – Auto Insurance

Back to School Safety Guide

When it comes to reviewing your policy, be sure to contact Bob Johnson Insurance today. We are more than happy to go over your coverage and see where you may need additional protection. Since your teenager likely doesn’t have his or her own policy, it’s imperative that you make sure that he or she is covered before sending him or her off to school.

When doing a review, there are two common areas that may need to be updated or amended.  Today, we are discussing auto insurance.

Reviewing Auto Insurance

Is the car your teen is using under your name? If so, then you want to be sure that any accidents or damaged are covered and won’t severely affect your rates. If your college student is earning money, it can be a good idea to have him or her pay for an individual policy. This will not only help you out financially, but it will provide your teen with valuable experience and responsibility.

Some other elements of auto insurance to pay attention to during your review can include:

  • Student discounts
  • Out of state coverage
  • Driving someone else’s car
  • Good driver discounts

In the end, it’s better to have more coverage than you think you need so that you’re prepared for any eventuality. You don’t want to wait until something happens to discover that your teen is not covered under your policy. It’s always best to be safe than sorry.

How Long Does it Take?

Reviewing your coverage takes just a few minutes on the phone.  Give us a call at 865-922-3111. We can let you know your options, answer any questions you may have and point out any discounts for which you might be able to take advantage.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

Back to School Safety: Review Your Insurance – Renter’s Insurance

Back to School Safety Guide

When it comes to reviewing your policy, be sure to contact Bob Johnson Insurance today. We are more than happy to go over your coverage and see where you may need additional protection. Since your teenager likely doesn’t have his or her own policy, it’s imperative that you make sure that he or she is covered before sending him or her off to school.

When doing a review, there are two common areas that may need to be updated or amended.  Today, we are discussing renter’s insurance.

Renter’s Insurance

If your teen is staying in off-campus housing, does the university provide coverage? If not, then renter’s insurance is a good idea. Even if he or she is living in a dorm, it’s always good to figure out what may or may not be covered in the school’s policy.

The other thing to consider is if your teen is living out of state. Since there may be different rules regarding insurance coverage and requirements, a review is necessary to ensure that you’re not missing anything. Some states may require more coverage than others, so it’s imperative that you fill in any gaps that might come with the territory.

How Long Does it Take?

Reviewing your coverage takes just a few minutes on the phone.  Give us a call at 865-922-3111.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

Back to School Safety: College – General Safety Tips

Back to School Safety Guide

This week, we have a couple of tips for students going back to college.

General College Safety Tips

Having a car in prime condition is only one element of college life that will keep your child out of trouble. Although his or her experience can change depending on a variety of factors, here are some ground rules that you should go over before he or she embarks on this next chapter.

  • Don’t drink too much. Not only will it affect grades, but it could lead to a host of health problems.
  • Clean your dorm regularly. Smells will develop over time, and your teenager could create a biohazard in the process.
  • Try to eat healthily. College students are notorious for eating cheap food, but it will cost them in the long run.
  • Stay safe on campus. Walking around at night can be dangerous in some areas, so always have a buddy or friend go with you.
  • Don’t get too stressed. Too much anxiety can lead to depression and other mental afflictions. Remind your teen to relax from time to time and avoid cramming whenever possible.
  • Think before you act.  College is a time to explore and try new things, but remember that everything we do has consequences — either good, bad or a little of each.  Sometimes those consequences cannot be reversed. Remind your student to think about what they do BEFORE they do it. Overall, teach your son or daughter that it’s okay to discover who they are as long as they aren’t putting themselves in danger.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

Back to School Safety: College – Prepping Your Car

Back to School Safety Guide

If your child is heading off to higher education, then you want to make sure that he or she is well prepared for life on their own. There are a lot of different things that can happen during college life, so it’s imperative that you talk to your teenager about how to stay safe in the process.  This week, we have a couple of tips for students going back to college.

Prepping Your Car for the Trip

If the university is a long distance away from home, then you will want to be sure that your teen’s car is up to the challenge. That being said, here are the most vital systems to check and update as necessary.

  • Check fluids. Brakes, power steering, and oil are all essential. Other options include windshield wipers, antifreeze, and possibly transmission fluid.
  • Check for leaks. If the car is leaving wet spots wherever it goes, there is a good chance that you have to get something fixed.
  • Test the battery. Unless it’s less than a year old, it should be tested to make sure that it will hold up, especially in hot or cold weather.
  • Check your tires. First, make sure that they have sufficient pressure. Next, check for balding, as that’s a sign that they need to be replaced. Also check to make sure that you have a properly-inflated spare tire that is in good working order.
  • Test your lights. Although brake lights and headlights are crucial, you should also check things like license plate lights and dome bulbs as well.
  • Find a local mechanic. Since you won’t be on hand to remind your teenager about car maintenance, it’s best to find a local shop that can help out.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

Back to School Safety: Getting to School – Carpooling

Back to School Safety Guide

This week, we are giving a brief overview of various transportation options as well as how to stay safe in each situation.

Carpooling

In many cases, you can arrange a carpool with other parents to ensure that your kids get to school quickly and safely. Although carpooling is one of the most secure methods of transportation, it’s still essential that you prepare your child for potential danger.

For the most part, you want to make sure that your little one verifies the driver of the car before getting in. Since many vehicles look alike, it can be easy to mistake one for the other and wind up in the wrong car. Also, for added security, it’s best to set up a schedule beforehand. This way, your child knows who should be picking him or her up at any time. Thus, if someone else tries to drive your little one, he or she will know to avoid the situation and wait for the approved driver instead.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!