8 Ways To Become A Good Driver

There’s a lot of benefits that come along with being a good driver. Less tickets and less accidents, too. Not only that, but being a good driver is the golden ticket to cheaper car insurance.

However, other than good driver discounts, it’s important to do your best on the road for the sake of others. Car accidents aren’t only a burden financially, but can be a huge burden on yourself and someone else physically.

Not everything comes naturally – not even driving. It takes practice and conscious awareness. There are certainly tips to follow to ensure you’re being the best driver you can – and we’re gonna tell you about 8 of them.

1. Focus!

Duh, right? Well, many fail to follow this simple rule. It’s easy to get caught up in your music or even looking out your window on a beautiful sunny day. But, every moment you aren’t focused on the road and others around you, you’re at risk for an accident.

Did you know that distracted driving causes 3,000 deaths and 421,000 fatalities a year? The Sawaya Law Firm also states that the most common driver distraction is being “lost in thought”. Make sure you keep your eyes on the task at hand… literally!

2. Buckle up!

Why wouldn’t you? Your seat belt can keep you from serious injuries and even death if found in a bad enough accident.

More than half of teens (13 to 19 years) and adults (20 to 44 years) who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2015 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. It’s so important that you buckle up when you hit the road because you never know what’s going to happen.

3. Use your blinker!

Swerving into lanes without warning people is practically asking to be in an accident. Be predictable and smooth with your turns and lane changes. “Nationwide, neglected or improper turn signals cause 2 million car accidents a year,” says Richard Ponziani, who conducted a recent study for the Society of Automotive Engineers.

If you fail to signal and get in a wreck, your insurance claim can become invalid and you will have to pay for damages. So, just use your blinker.

4. Expect the worst out of other drivers.

Sounds kind of pessimistic, right? Well… you truly can’t trust anyone’s driving on the road. Prepare for the worst. Be cautious of everyone around you. Even if you think you’re a safe driver, you can’t prove everyone else around you is too. It’s safer to be on the defense when driving.

5. Slow down!

Sure, driving fast can be exhilarating – but is it worth the hefty fines, and the risk of your wellbeing and others? Nearly 1.25 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. An additional 20-50 million are injured or disabled. The fasting you drive, the harder it is to stop quickly. Drive the speed limit.

6. Never ever drive while drunk, high or low.

Don’t get into the drivers seat if you’ve been drinking, using recreational drugs or even if you’re not in a good mental place. About one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash during their lifetimes. Every day, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes on average.

It’s also important to recognize your mental health before you get on the road. Strong emotions such as anger and sadness affect your driving as well.

Protect yourself and others.

Defensive driving is not just for your sake, but for the sake of others. Mistakes you make on the road can affect those around you, too. Take your time on the road seriously and do what it takes to ensure you’re the safest you can be. Are you already a good driver? No traffic violations or accidents on your record? You can be saving big time on your auto insurance. Talk to your agent today about good driver discounts.

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