With warmer weather soon approaching, it’s a great time for a driving refresher.
Take the time to assess your current driving habits now and make a conscience effort to become a better driver. By adopting good driving habits, you’ll minimize the stress of your daily commute and ensure your weekend road trips are safe and accident-free for yourself, passengers and other drivers on the road.
What makes a good driver? Being a good driver takes more than just following the rules of the road. Good drivers adopt driving behaviours and patterns that decrease their likelihood of getting into an accident with another car, getting a traffic ticket, and injuring themselves or others on the road.
Good driver tips
Here are some basics to help you on your way to becoming a better driver:
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Ensure your seat and mirrors are properly adjusted for optimum control, comfort and visibility
- Minimize distractions while driving (cell phones, pets, people, etc.)
- Obey the rules of the road (speed limits, traffic signs)
- Don’t drink and drive
- Know the weather conditions before you get on the road and adjust your speed accordingly
- Allow adequate space between your car and the car in front of you and refrain from tailgating
- Avoid making quick stops and accelerating hard
- Provide sufficient amount of time when indicating a turn or lane change
- Slow down at intersections
- Be aware of other cars, cyclists or pedestrians on the road even if you have the right away
- Always remember to shoulder check
- Be alert and stay focused
As with all things, practice makes perfect. Adopting good driving habits take repetition and continual practice. Taking the opportunity to practice in different driving situations will improve your driving abilities.
Perks of being a good driver?
Did you know being a good driver has many benefits? Not only will you reduce the chances of getting into an accident but being a good driver can also save you money on your car insurance.
With the recent introduction of usage-based insurance (UBI) or telematics in Ontario, insurance providers are now offering insurance premium discounts for safe driving habits. By installing a device in your vehicle, your driving habits can be assessed by tracking your acceleration, braking, and the time of day you’re driving. If you live in Ontario, ask your BrokerLink brokertoday how you can save up to 25% on your car insurance and get rewarded for your good driving habits.
