Summer Driving Tips to Stay Safer & Get Better Insurance Premium Rates
With spring in full bloom, families everywhere are impatiently looking ahead to summer and planning vacations, long weekends, and all the other fun activities they want to enjoy during the summer season. Since an increase in this type of activity usually means an increase in the amount of time spent in the car, it makes sense to take stock of the current driving situations in your household and gently remind all the drivers of the need to practice safe driving skills.
Not only will doing so lessen the risk of accidents, but having fewer accidents and insurance claims can result in significantly lower insurance premiums in the future.
Are all drivers currently matched with the safest car for their driving skills and needs?
One of the first ways to make sure that your family stays safe behind the wheel is to periodically assess each driver and make sure they are driving the safest vehicle for their skill level and situation. For instance, a new teen driver will likely be safer (and cheaper to insure) if the car they regularly drive is an older, well-maintained sedan, rather than a high performance sports car or expensive luxury vehicle.
Are all drivers remembering to practice defensive driving skills each time they get behind the wheel?
Driving defensively and without becoming distracted are proven ways to stay safer when driving, but it can be easy for drivers to allow bad habits to creep in over time. Spending some time each year refreshing good driving habits as a family is a good way to enjoy an enhanced level of driving safety and potentially lower insurance premiums in the future. Some of these good driving habits include:
- watching far ahead while driving, instead of becoming hyper-focused on the car directly in front of yours (doing this allows drivers much greater reaction times and a smoother overall driving experience)
- keeping music volumes low and conversations on a relaxed level when driving (many of the distractions that end up causing accidents are inside the car, so avoiding too much activity inside the car is part of staying safe and avoiding accidents and injuries)
- making sure that some activities are completely banned inside the vehicle while it is moving, such as eating, applying makeup, talking or texting on the phone, or trying to read a map or reach something in the backseat (none of these activities should be attempted unless the car is parked safely away from moving traffic)
For even more great tips for safer driving this summer, contact an automobile insurance provider such as Northeast Insurance Agency. In addition to safety tips, they can also help you assess your current insurance policies and make sure they are right for your family and your budget.
