With increasing numbers of drivers hitting the nation’s highways every year, our behavior behind the wheel has to be taken more seriously. There are plenty of motorists who take driving for granted, leaving it up to the rest of us to watch out for them in order to keep our auto insurance rates down, while other drivers feel they own the road and you better get out of their way.
What Is Defensive Driving?
Typically, drivers fall into three categories – defensive, aggressive and unaware. The third category, which may be the largest of the three, is full of people who drive as though they’re unaware other drivers are on the road with them. Because quite often it’s the people in the third category that set into motion our defensive or aggressive behavior, we’ll concentrate on all three. The lack of one and too much of another can send your low cost insurance premiums through the roof if you have an accident.
Defensive Driving Tips At Freeway Insurance
It’s been proven that driving defensively and using it regularly can reduce accidents and make the road a much safer place. On the other side of the coin, statistics also show that unaware and aggressive driving can put everyone at risk. It’s all in your approach when you get behind the wheel, so you may want follow these simple tips:
Scan The Road and Anticipate Potential Hazards
Defensive driving is an essential skill for all drivers to possess in order to stay safe on the road. One of the most important defensive driving tips is to scan the road ahead and anticipate potential hazards. This means being aware of your surroundings and looking out for anything that could pose a danger, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, road conditions, or weather changes. By scanning the road and anticipating potential hazards, you can better prepare yourself to react quickly and avoid any potential accidents or collisions. Additionally, it’s important to maintain a safe following distance and adjust your speed accordingly to ensure that you have enough time and space to react to any unexpected situations that may arise.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
One of the most important defensive driving tips is to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. This means keeping a distance that will give you enough time to react and stop if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes or swerves. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This distance should be increased if you’re driving in adverse weather conditions or if you’re driving a large vehicle that takes longer to stop. By maintaining a safe following distance, you reduce your chances of getting into a rear-end collision, which is one of the most common types of accidents on the road.
Avoid distracted driving
One of the most important defensive driving tips is to avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention away from the road, such as using your phone, eating, or talking to passengers. When you are distracted, you are less likely to notice potential hazards on the road, and your reaction time may be slower. To avoid distracted driving, put your phone away, finish your food before you start driving, and limit conversations with passengers. If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over to a safe location first. By staying focused on the road, you can help ensure that you arrive at your destination safely.
Keep your speed under control
It’s simple. Stay within the posted speed limit and with the flow of traffic. Rule of thumb – the faster you go beyond what is safe, the less time you’ll have to react to possible danger. In addition, you might avoid that speeding ticket that’ll ruin your cheap auto insurance rates.
Yield Right-of-way, If Necessary
A four-way stop is often a good place to show a little courtesy. Demanding it is an aggressive maneuver that should be avoided. The extra second or two you lose by yielding to another driver won’t make you late. In case you’re not sure who got there first, wave the other driver on and let him by.
Use Your Turn Signal
When making a lane change, don’t just cut other drivers off or simply hit the brakes at the last instant to make a right turn. Behaving like this on a regular basis will eventually invite trouble. Not only are you risking an accident, it can appear as an incident of road rage. It’s a matter of being thoughtful. Let other drivers know your intentions ahead of time by using your turn signals.
Be Cautious at Intersections
Many drivers ignore this constantly, taking for granted it’s always safe for them to do so. The sad fact is intersections are extremely dangerous even when you’ve got the green light. An unaware driver can easily turn in front of you, leaving you no way out, except to hit them. Furthermore, an ambulance or fire vehicle could enter at the same time you do, believing they’ve got a clear path, when they don’t. Give yourself a chance to spot a potentially dangerous situation by slowing down a little.
Blind Spots
Dangerous blind spots are common on almost every car. Compounding the problem is that many drivers only use their rearview mirror or badly adjusted side mirrors to change lanes. The consequences can irritate some drivers into road range, not to mention causing an accident. It’s always a good idea to turn your head, if possible, for a quick glance to be sure a small car isn’t hiding below the rear door of your large SUV or pickup truck.
Slow Down in Bad Weather
You shouldn’t have to think twice about this one, but plenty of drivers ignore it. Slow down and give extra room between you and the cars ahead of you. Remember – reaction time and braking are increased substantially when the weather is bad.
Use Your Seatbelts
Wear your seatbelts at all times. It’s not just the law; they’re your best defense against serious injury or death. Airbags alone aren’t designed to keep you in your seat if your car rolls over.
Unaware drivers can be aggravating, but they don’t have to make you aggressive.
And, while defensive driving can’t completely stop an accident from occurring, it can definitely make you a safer driver…not to mention keep your car insurance rates low.
Emphasis on the Importance of Being a Defensive Driver
Being a defensive driver is essential for ensuring road safety, as it involves being aware of potential hazards and taking necessary precautions to avoid accidents. Defensive driving techniques can help reduce the risk of collisions, such as maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, obeying traffic laws, and avoiding distracted driving. In addition to protecting yourself and others on the road, being a defensive driver can also help you save money on car insurance premiums. Being a defensive driver not only ensures safety but can also provide financial benefits. It’s essential to remember that driving is a privilege, and taking the necessary precautions can help ensure that we all arrive at our destinations safely.
The choice of what type of driver you are is up to you as is making sure you’re getting the best rate on your auto insurance. Why not get a free auto insurance quote today?
Contact Freeway Insurance today at (800) 777-5620 to speak with an experienced agent and to get a free, low-cost car insurance quote. Freeway specializes in offering high quality auto insurance coverage with low premiums.
