As fun, and maybe even therapeutic, as driving can be, no one ever wants to admit they’re a bad driver. But odds are everyone at some point has tried to multitask while on the road, even if it’s taking a phone call while they’re driving.
Even those that consider themselves good drivers can become distracted and get into accidents. When that happens, not only do you damage your car, but you also potentially end up costing yourself a lot of money if your insurance costs go up.
So what can you do to be a better driver and keep your insurance costs down? These tips can help you stay safe and save money:
Always Be Aware of Other Cars on the Road
You may not know it, but there are nearly 12 million trucks, rail cars, locomotives, and vessels that move goods throughout the transportation network. Any way you slice it, that’s a lot of vehicles moving on any given day.
What does that mean for you as a driver? It means you need to pay attention at all times. Sure, everyone loves nice leisurely drives when traffic is light, but how do you fare during rush hour when traffic is heavy? You need to be aware of what’s going on around you at all times. A car that’s stopped a half-mile up the road in the middle of a highway could mean trouble for you and other cars if you’re not paying attention.
So what can you do? Obviously, you can pay attention to what’s happening around you at all times. Based on what’s going on, you can then adjust your driving habits accordingly. So, if you’re in heavy traffic, for example, you can slow down and leave more distance between your car and the cars in front of you. By practicing defensive driving, you can keep your insurance rates down and be a smarter driver.
Don’t Expect Others to Be Good Drivers
Just because you consider yourself a good driver doesn’t mean that everyone around you is also a good driver. In fact, statistics have shown that a quarter of all trucking accidents are due to driver error.
Again, staying safe on the road comes down to paying close attention and practicing defensive driving. If you see a car ahead of you that’s swerving or impeding the flow of traffic, slow down or go around it. If you see emergency vehicles coming up behind you, move over as soon as possible and let them pass.
You’ve likely heard the old adage about what happens when you assume and you should never assume you know what another driver’s intentions are. Use your eyes, use your ears, and your other senses to stay safe and save money.
Take the Weather Into Account
Statistics have also shown that weather plays a factor in about 20% of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States. So what does that mean for you? It means you need to be careful about driving in bad weather or choose not to drive at all.
You’ve likely been in a scenario where a light sprinkle of rain turns into a heavy downpour in a matter of minutes. The same thing goes for snowfall; what starts as a light snowfall with pretty snowflakes can soon turn into whiteout conditions. No matter what kind of bad weather you’re driving in, you need to take conditions into account.
Even though you might be hurrying to a destination, you can stay safe, avoid an accident, and save money on your insurance by pulling over somewhere and waiting out the bad weather.