Beyond following the rules of the road and being aware of your surroundings, one of the best ways to stay safe on public roads is to practice defensive driving. Defensive driving is key to avoiding car crashes, injuries, and other road threats. This doesn’t mean you should always feel tense about potential threats, but it does mean you should be cautious when controlling your vehicle. Anticipating the reaction of others is your first major step to staying safe on the roads, in addition to securing auto insurance in Queens, NY. Take a look at the top defensive driving tips you need to know to stay safe.
Why Practice Defensive Driving?
Driving defensively has many benefits. Being able to spot hazards makes you a more confident driver and prevents you from panicking behind the wheel if a certain situation occurs. This confidence helps you to learn when to change your driving style to better suit the traffic, road, and weather conditions.
In addition to increasing your confidence behind the wheel, being able to drive defensively also lowers the chances of being involved in a serious car accident. When you’re aware of the roads, you’re able to react quickly and avoid potentially expensive and painful incidents. This means you’re able to prevent auto insurance claims, helping you save money in the long run.
Defensive Driving Practices
- Put down your phone
You don’t be the first driver who got an important call or text while behind the wheel. But, how important is it for you to pick up your phone and answer the call or immediately reply to the text? Usually, not at all. If you are using your cell phone while driving, you are already putting yourself in a dangerous position. Phones are extremely distracting when driving, and it’s best to keep them out of reach when you’re behind the wheel so that you can focus on the road ahead.
- Slow down
The faster you drive, the bigger the risk of crashing. While it may seem safe to break the speed limit now and again, even just going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit is enough to increase your risk of being involved in an accident by 50 percent. Keep in mind that you should reduce your speed more so when weather factors like rain and fog make it difficult to see or stop.
- Physically check your blind spot
Even if you have the latest tech in your side mirrors, you should not solely rely on a light to tell you if it is safe to change lanes or turn. Before moving, quickly look over your shoulder to ensure no one is in your blind spot. This habit also comes in useful when motorcycles are zipping through traffic and weaving in and out of lanes, when your car’s tech might not pick up on their presence.
- Check the road several cars ahead
Hazards can come out of nowhere – as well as directly in front of you. Sometimes, an accident waiting to happen could be two, three, four, or five cars ahead of your vehicle. Instead of basing your speed and driving style on the car in front of you, check the road for several cars ahead. Scanning the road ahead helps you to be more prepared if there are sudden changes in speed or otherwise.
If you’re wondering how to secure the right protection and find the best personal car insurance near me, we can help. At Northeastern Group Ltd., we work with motorists in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida to find the right coverage that suits their needs and vehicle. Contact us today to get started.
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