Nationwide Auto Insurance Driving Safety

Nationwide Auto Insurance Driving Safety

While no one has full control over the circumstances surrounding a car accident, there are things that can be done to reduce your chances of being the cause or being involved in an auto accident.

• Smart driving decisions
• Statistics on teen driving
• Driving in winter weather
• Ways to avoid an accident
• Maintain your vehicle

Smart Driving Decisions

Here are some smart decisions you can make and use to improve your auto insurance rates and reduce your car accidents:

Drive defensively: If you assume that other drivers are not as skilled and thoughtful as you are, you will instinctively become more careful and cautious when on the road. Try not to speed: When you speed, you have less time to react, less time to make the right decision.

Never drink and drive: Alcohol can seriously impair your decision-making skills and reaction time. Take the keys away from friends who have been drinking: Give friends rides home if they have been drinking. Your defensive driving, carpooling, good grades, student away from home and experience can get you discounted auto insurance quotes. We'll try to qualify you for auto insurance that's right for you.

You can influence your driving record by forming and maintain good driving habits. Here are some other ways you might be able to save on premiums:

Are you a good student, B average or better? Most companies offer discounts for these students.

Complete a driver's training course. Teens who take Driver's Ed are considered safer drivers than the average teen. The longer you drive, the more experienced you become.

Safe driving is everyone's responsibility. Consider that over half of all motor vehicle accidents could be avoided if drivers would just make intelligent driving decisions. Teenagers are most at risk because they may not have the experience or maturity to be able to consider the consequences of their actions. It's critical that good driving habits are formed early. Review the following information on prevention of car accidents auto accident risks on the road. Hopefully, this will get you thinking about things you can do to make your driving as safe as possible.

Statistics on teen driving

• Automobile accidents are the number one killer of our nation's youth.
• Drivers under the age of 20 were involved in 13% of all accidents, yet they account for only 5% of all drivers.
• 5,000 teenagers die each year from auto accidents.
• Alcohol is responsible for almost half of all teen motor vehicle deaths.
• 25% of all teen accidents involve speeding.
• Half of all teenage traffic fatalities occur between 6:00 p.m. Friday and 3:00 a.m. Sunday.
• In one year, drivers 19 and under were involved in close to 3 million motor vehicle accidents.

Driving in Winter weather

When hit by blowing snow or whiteout conditions, slow down and make sure there ......lots of space or distance between you and the vehicle in front. It often makes sense to get off the road totally and enjoy a cup of coffee or drink and wait awhile to hit the road. This allows the emergency vehicles to properly plow the road, sand or salt it, or perhaps to let the wind reduce down to safer driving conditions. This is obviously the most safe position but, unfortunately not usually the most thought of. But if you must travel on always use low beam headlights when snow is falling, as it is believed that high beams reflect back off the flakes and hamper vision.

Always leave trucks with lots of space. A heavily loaded tractor trailer truck may have better traction but can cause havoc if it has to brake or swerve suddenly to avoid smaller cars that try to squeeze into its path while overtaking or merging.

Remember also to look out for hydroplaning when roads are wet with slushy puddles. It is wise to check your vehicle as often as possible and to clear the mess or guck out of the wheel wells and fender areas which may help you steer better.

Always take the time before starting out on a trip or a drive around the corner to properly clear ice and snow off your car windows, hood and roof. Don't forget to clean your lights as dirty lights can reduce illumination of the roadway by half. You won't be able to see as well and the other traffic won't be able to see you. To combat moisture buildup on windows, open a window slightly giving enough room for air to circulate. Still use the heat blowers and defoggers to clear.

Good winter tires give 50% better traction over what is referred to as
all-season tires. This may mean 50% better handling and braking. Follow your car manufacturer's tire air pressure recommendations exactly and check pressures regularly outside. Avoid checking them in a warm garage as it may affect the results. Under inflation is very hard on tire life and reduces control of the car while over inflation reduces contact with the road and creates a safety hazard, especially in rain or snow. A drop of 11 degrees C reduces tire pressure apparently by 2 psi.

One of the most common winter accidents is sliding into another car because there just wasn't enough room to stop. So space your distance from other vehicles generously.

Allow for extra time to get to your destination. One of the most common causes for accidents are believed to be the desire to rush to make it on
"time". Poor weather driving conditions while extremely dangerous to whether you even make it to your destination "alive" means you should allow generously for time. Live earlier and don't worry if you arrive late. People will understand why your late! What they won't understand is why you were rushing and got in an accident and got hurt. Allow for lots of extra time in
bad weather.

Ways to avoid an accident

Over 90% of automobile accidents can be avoided. Here are common causes - avoid them and you may avoid an accident!

Intersection Errors - Over 65% of urban accidents occur at
intersections. Look around very carefully. Proceed with caution and don't
assume anything.

Inattention - Not maintaining close concentration on your own
driving, other drivers, pedestrians, and driving conditions.

Following too close - A generally safe and easy rule is to look at your
speed in km and stay at least that many feet behind the vehicle in front.

Vehicle Malfunction - Have regular checkups, particularly of wiper fluid,
brakes , and tires, and replace wiper blades whenever they are worn.

Maintain your vehicle and you may avoid and accident

Dangerous Roads - Ice, snow, fog, and rain conditions require slower speeds and much greater caution.

Unsafe Speeds - Exceeding speed limits, or driving too fast for traffic
conditions.Excessive speed reduces reaction time and greatly increases
impact and injuries.

Improper Lane Changes - Before you change, check all mirrors, and signal long before you change. Also, watch for the other vehicles.

These items may seem so simple and standard to drivers, but, in today's
hectic driving world they are often overlooked ,forgotten or simply ignored.