Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we are discussing today's ruling from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, we are announcing tech solution, Catalyit, and the behavioral changes to driving during the pandemic. 

Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Statewide Mask Mandate

Today (Wednesday, March 31st), the Wisconsin Supreme Court blocked Gov. Tony Evers from issuing any new public health emergency orders to mandate face masks without the approval of the Wisconsin Legislature. The statewide mask mandate was set to expire on Monday, but now ends immediately following the ruling. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau told Wisconsin lawmakers in January that the state's FoodShare program could lose its extra funding of about $50 million a month if the state's emergency were extended." Read more here.

Introducing Catalyit!

The IIAW is proud to announce tech solution, Catalyit! Catalyit is simplifying technology for insurance agencies. The number of ways that you can leverage tech to increase profits and serve customers is nearly unlimited. Catalyit offers tools, guides & reviews, community, training and consulting to give you all the agency tech guidance you need in one place. Learn more about Catalyit by heading to their website www.catalyit.com. If you sign up for their email list, you'll receive their Top 10 Tech Tips today, and you'll be the first to hear when their free assessment is available. 

Catalyit is launching in June 2021! Click here for more details.

Distracted Driving Behaviors Increased During Pandemic

According to Insurance Journal, one in four drivers think that roads are safer today than they were before the pandemic, yet a growing number of drivers are texting or emailing while driving - in part as more of them feel pressured to be available for their jobs wherever they are."

A national survey of more than 1,000 consumers and business managers was conducted for the 2021 Travelers Risk Index on distracted driving. Respondents reported on their dangerous driving behaviors including: 

• Texting or emailing (26%, up from 19% pre-pandemic)

• Checking social media (20%, up from 13% pre-pandemic)

• Taking videos and photos (19%, up from 10% pre-pandemic)

• Shopping online (17%, up from 8% pre-pandemic)

Travelers reported that such driving behaviors may have contributed in part to more hazardous road. According to the National Safety Council, "Motor vehicle deaths were up 8% in 2020 from 2019 - the highest percentage increase in 13 years." Read more about the findings from the 2021 Travelers Risk Index here. 

For more news, check out the Action news section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list. Don’t forget you can stay up-to-date on other industry news as its happening on our Online Community. You can join the Online Community (exclusive to IIAW members)  here. We hope that everyone has a great rest of their week.