Many people look for creative ways to save money on their auto insurance, but the simple fact is that you can often lower your premium simply by being an accident-free driver. It's often worth taking a defensive driving class to improve your driving skill--for those on a budget, however, it's possible to be safer behind the wheel by making a few changes to how you drive. Talk to your insurance agent to determine what degree of cost savings you'll experience for your safe driving, and then implement these three simple changes that will decrease your risk of accidents on the road.
Reduce Your Speed
It's often tempting to speed whether you're running late or to just enjoy the thrill of driving fast. However, your quicker pace can often increase your risk of accidents, given that you'll have less time to react when you're traveling faster than the speed limit. Plus, the risk of an accident and speeding tickets that can eventually raise your insurance premium doesn't really offset the advantages of driving so quickly--in actuality, moderate speeding hardly gets you to your destination much quicker. Reducing your speed drastically reduces your risk of an accident; one of the chief causes of driving fatalities, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, is speeding.
Get Home Earlier
Driving late at night might mean the traffic is lighter, but you have a higher risk of getting into an accident if you're sleepy. A 2006 Virginia Tech University study found that being drowsy behind the wheel quadruples a driver's risk of having an accident. If nighttime driving is inevitable, it's best to drive with a partner and have a conversation that keeps you engaged and alert. If you do feel tired, it's best to pull over at a rest stop or a safe public area and get out to stretch your legs and take a short walk to help you feel more alert.
Know Your Route
Skilled drivers can react quickly to the circumstances in front of them, but a little familiarity with the route you intend to travel can limit your risk of accidents. Whether you're simply taking a trip in your city or are embarking on a road trip, scout out the route online. Are there any detours? Places where the traffic bottlenecks heavily? Unexpected roundabouts? Being aware of sudden changes on the road will help you change the way you drive--for example, if you see a traffic map that shows how traffic backs up around a blind corner, you'll know to decease your speed as you approach the corner.
For more information, talk to auto insurance companies like Ahlquist Insurance.
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