10 Tips for Safe Driving
You want to instill good driving habits in your new driver; but regardless of age, it's important to note that if you drive recklessly, it impacts more people on the road than just yourself. In fact, other drivers, their passengers, your passengers, the families and friends of all involved and even pedestrians can be affected by the decisions you make when behind the wheel. Driving is a potentially dangerous activity not to be taken lightly. It is a large piece of machinery you're maneuvering.
Your ability to drive safely also directly relates to your insurance rates and the continued validity of your driver’s license. The better you avoid hazards, the better you can avoid higher insurance rates and other driving penalties. To prevent potential harm, a license suspension or auto insurance rate increases, put into practice these 10 safe driving tips:
1. Drive within the speed limit: Your risk of getting into an accident increases by 5% for every mile per hour you drive. Following speed limits keeps you safe.
2. Buckle your seatbelt: About half of all fatal accidents involve individuals who are not wearing seatbelts. Buckling up can be the difference between life and death in the event of a collision.
3. Don’t drink (or use any type of drug) and drive: Alcohol and drugs (including many prescribed medications) cause reduced reaction time and may include blurred vision or poor coordination. With anything, that impairs your ability to drive, always appoint a designated driver or call a ride.
4. Put the phone down: Recent studies have shown that texting, surfing the web, playing games, or doing other activities on your mobile device while driving can slow your reaction time more than alcohol.
Keep your eyes on the road and pay attention to everything going on around you.
5. Leave enough space: To protect yourself from sudden actions of the car in front of or behind you, leave about two to three car lengths of space between yourself and other drivers. This gives you extra time and space to react suddenly if needed.
6. Get enough rest: While you should get eight hours of sleep per night, this isn’t always a reality. To prevent nodding off behind the wheel after a night of restless sleep, perhaps drink a caffeinated beverage or do a few minutes of movement to wake your body up before starting your commute.
7. Maintain your car: Staying on top of routine car maintenance and repairs keeps your car in road-safe condition for the best driving performance.
8. Stay aware: Being alert to your environment at all times is the best way to avoid an accident. Look far up the road, beyond the few feet in front of you. Know what’s going on behind you and at your sides. Use your mirrors. Stay aware of any potential hazards including animals on a country road or a motorcycle in your blind spot.
9. Drive defensively: Sure, that driver just cut you off, avoid letting road rage get the best of you. Don’t suddenly change lanes and always use your turn signals. The more you do to let other drivers know your intentions, the better you can avoid accidents.
10. Avoid driving in bad weather: Driving in heavy rain, snow or ice can be challenging. If the weather is particularly bad, avoid going out as much as possible to reduce your chance of accidents. If you’re not in it, you can’t have an accident.
Whether you’ve got a great driving record or need a little assistance getting through a rough patch with your auto insurance rates, please contact Solo Insurance® for more information. We’re happy to help either way. 800.207.SOLO [7656].