When driving a car, avoiding an automobile accident should be our highest priority. The road is full of potential dangers and we must be on guard at all times. However, the good news is that most of us are aware of this and we practice defensive driving techniques will cruising down the street.
In addition to employing defensive driving tactics, there are other ways in which we can make our daily commute even safer. And these are things you can do before you even get the behind the wheel. Does this sound strange – that you can make your driving experience safer without actually driving your vehicle? It’s true. Look over this list to discover more tips for safer driving, which in turn, will lower your auto insurance premiums.
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Perform Routine Safety Maintenance On Your Vehicle
Imagine this scenario: you are zipping down the highway going around sixty-miles-an-hour. Suddenly, a tire blows out, you lose control and find yourself fishtailing all over the road. Sound like a nightmare? Well, this is a nightmare that unfortunately can become reality. By performing safety checks on your vehicle, you can avoid the situation like the one referenced above from occurring to you.
It is recommended that your perform safety checks on your automobile at least every five thousands miles. When you bring your vehicle in for inspection at your local dealership or maintenance center, here is a list of things that should be evaluated:
• Tires – check for the correct pressure, and for wear and tire. Have the tires rotated regularly and replaced if necessary.
• Lights – this includes headlights, taillights, and turn signals. Replace any bulbs a.s.a.p. if they burn out.
• Parking Break – make sure it is operational.
• Air Bag – make sure it’s functional
• Windshield Wiper Blades – replace if necessary
• Seat Belts – have to be functioning properly.
Purchase A Car With A High Safety Rating
A great place to determine a vehicle’s safety is the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The IIHS measures an auto’s “crashworthiness” – that is, how well a vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a crash. The IIHS performs high-speed front and side crash tests, rollover tests, and evaluations of seatbelts and airbags. Here is a list of vehicles that earned high safety ratings for 2010:
•Large Cars: Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80.
•Small Cars: Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Scion XB, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf.
•Midsize Cars: Audi A3, Chevy Malibu, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Hyundai Sonata, Mercedes C Class, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo C30.
•Midsize SUVs: Dodge Journey, Subaru Tribeca, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90.
•Small SUVs: Honda Element, Jeep Patriot, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan
Do Not Drink And Drive
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there were 15,387 alcohol-related deaths on the roads in 2007. That is 37% of all fatalities for that year. Studies have demonstrated that even one glass of beer or wine can impair our ability to operate our motor vehicles safely. Alcohol slows our reaction times and ability to avoid a danger.
There is simply no reason to drive while impaired. It’s really all about planning ahead if you are going to drink. Designate a sober driver for the evening. Take a cab or if going out with a large group, hire a “party bus” for the evening (these rates can be quite reasonable). The cost of a cab pales in comparison to a DUI/DWI ticket and court expenses – not to mention the havoc such a ticket can wreck on your professional and personal life. It can’t be stated in any other way – drunk driving not only imperils your life and future, but also risks the lives of other innocent victims who happen to be sharing the roads with you.
It is also important to note that auto insurance companies take drunk driving offenses very seriously. Some insurance companies will drop you after only one incident. And if they don’t drop you, no doubt your rates will skyrocket. Drinking and driving is simply not worth it, no matter how you look at it.
As made evident by the tips above, by investing some time, effort, and prudent judgment, there are ways to reduce the chance of getting in an automobile accident before you even get behind the wheel. Follow these tips and you will be safer and will end up saving money on car insurance – does it really get any better than that?
Get car insurance quotes online today!