Driving Tips Archives | Casa Grande Insurance Agency

Speed Kills – One of The Top Contributor of Road Accidents

February 16, 2018 by Steve Gebhardt

For many years, speeding has been proven to be a leading factor in traffic deaths throughout the world. According to statistics from the department of transportation, one-third of all traffic deaths in the United States have been affected by speeding. The effects of traffic deaths also go beyond the loss of life and grieving by the family. Studies have shown that countries can lose 3-5 percent of their GDP due to car accident deaths through insurance claims, loss of work, and other financial factors. Speeding is a cause of death that can be easily solved without any new technology or cure, yet it still happens on a regular basis.

So why is speeding such a major factor in accidents and deaths on the road, compared to any number of other factors? Speeding while driving provides a higher risk of causing an accident for a wide variety of reasons. Drivers who speed have less time to react to changing conditions, such as changes in road quality, weather, or other driver’s movements on the road. Speeding makes for worse accidents when they happen due to the faster velocity of the impact. Its effects can also be multiplied by distracted driving or tired driving.

Fortunately for drivers, steps have been taken by many countries around the world to curb the danger created by speeding drivers. Most nations have implemented reduced speed zones in areas near schools and on narrow roadways. Speed bumps and speed tables have been added to areas where speeding has been known to be an issue. Higher fines have been put in place for speeding in sensitive areas such as construction zones and school zones to keep pedestrians safe. All of these factors further incentivize drivers to drive slower and drive more carefully.

In a world where others are speeding, what can someone due to keeping themselves safe from the danger? There are many actions a common driver can take in order to protect themselves on the road. The obvious first step is to not speed yourself. While others may choose to speed on the road, you do not have to speed with them. When you drive the speed limit, you bring a bit more safety to everyone on the road.

Driving defensively and having the right auto insurance is the best way to go. Avoid common distractions such as using your cell phone or constantly changing the radio settings while driving. Be mindful of other drivers, where they are around you, and their speed in relation to your own. Practice the 3-4 second rule, which states that you should stay at least 3 to 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you, and no closer than that. There are many aspects to defensive driving that can keep you much safer on the road, no matter how anyone else drives around you.

Also be sure to take care of your vehicle in terms of maintenance. While this may not seem to relate directly to speeding drivers, it is good practice to regularly maintain your car so nothing goes wrong with it while you drive. If you ignore issues like weak brakes or a bad engine, you could find yourself causing a hazard on the road, making it all that much more likely that you can cause an accident. Combine this with speeding drivers trying to avoid you as your car breaks down, and your chances of an accident are multiplied greatly. Always be sure you take care of your vehicle maintenance.

Despite all of these facts on the dangers of speeding, things are improving. In 2003, the United States saw approximately 13,000 deaths related to speeding. By 2012, that number had reduced to approximately 10,000. Awareness of speeding as a cause of death is growing, as more Driver’s Education classes emphasize the dangers, as well as the driving tests. Car manufacturers also have upgraded the quality and number of airbags in their newest vehicles, and are now building vehicle frames and windows with stronger materials.

The best way to keep yourself safer on the road is to simply not speed yourself. Plan to leave earlier for your destination so you don’t need to hurry. Anticipate the traffic you will be in and drive accordingly. Every step you take to change your own driving habits keeps you just a bit safer no matter what the other drivers may be doing. If these aren’t good enough reasons, save yourself the cost of the accident, the loss of fuel economy, and the price of a speeding ticket, too.

Defensive Driving: Limit Your Risk of Accidents While Driving

February 9, 2018 by Steve Gebhardt

You may have heard of defensive driving, but what is it? Defensive driving is all about doing what you can to limit your risk of accidents while driving. Paying attention to the road, being mindful of other drivers, and maintaining your vehicle are all essential to having a safe trip. No matter your age, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your defensive driving techniques. Here are a few good tips to keep in mind for the next time you hit the road.

Defensive Driving Tips

Follow the 3-4 second rule

The 3-4 second rule says that you should always stay at least 3 to 4 seconds behind the driver in front of you. Some say it is good practice to drive behind other at least 1 second per 10 miles per hour. So if you drive at 60 miles per hour on the highway, you should have at least 6 seconds worth of buffer between you and the next car.

This rule makes it safer for you in the event that you need to stop quickly. You never know when the driver in front of you may hit their brakes, and you need to be ready. The more time you have to react, the better for everyone.

Avoid distractions

There are plenty of things vying for your attention all day, and the distractions don’t stop while driving. Music from the radio, a ringing cell phone and billboards on the road are just a few things that could pull your attention from the road. When your focus is off of your driving, you run a higher risk of accidents.

It is best practice to not use your cell phone in any way while driving (in fact, it’s illegal in many areas). Set your radio before starting to drive and leave it alone, or adjust it from the wheel. Don’t try to read every sign and billboard you pass by if it’s going to take your eyes off the road. Always remember the most important part of driving is the driving part.

Be aware of your surroundings

With all of these distractions, it can be easy to forget to keep track of things around you. How many cars are near you? Are they slowing down? Is there a construction zone up ahead? Know what’s going on so you can react quickly and efficiently. Conditions are constantly changing due to vehicles, weather, and quality of the road itself. The more you know about your immediate surroundings, the better.

Watch out for the other guy

More specifically than being aware of your surroundings, be mindful of the other drivers. Some drivers will switch lanes suddenly without using a signal. Others will speed up or slow down just as quickly. Others could sway in their lane and come to close. Just because you are driving defensively does not mean they are, too.

Even when you are surrounded by good drivers, something unexpected can happen. Car issues can arise for the other drivers and you will have no idea why they cut you off. If you are driving safely, you will have time to react to these kinds of problems.

Watch out for changing road conditions

In addition to distracted drivers, changing road conditions can cause problems, too. The road can become very slick when it begins to rain. Heavy downpours can start suddenly. Even leaves in the autumn can cause tons of issues on the road. Beyond this, you can find yourself in a construction zone, in a neighborhood with tight roads, or at an intersection with a broken traffic light.

Car conditions can also lead to problems. Be sure to keep up with car safety maintenance so as to not break down. If your tires are not properly inflated, you could have a hard time controlling the vehicle. If you haven’t had an oil change in a long time, your engine could stall. If your brakes are old, you could lose the ability to stop quickly. Taking care of your car maintenance is an essential aspect of defensive driving.

Follow the law

It may seem obvious, but following the law is a good idea when driving. Speed limits are there to keep drivers safe from moving too quickly in areas where they may need to have time to react and slow down. Driving drunk will obviously make it harder to stay focused. Driving without insurance is also against the law for your own good, as the cost of car repairs and injuries can be overwhelming. Always follow the laws of the road, even the ones that don’t directly affect your driving and last but not the least don’t drive without insurance. For best insurance rates call us and we will determine what’s best for you.

Be sure to use common sense

We all know our own abilities and limitations behind the wheel and we should always act accordingly. Know when you are too tired to drive. Know how much music you can handle while driving. Know what types of roads you are confident with driving.

In addition to these, be sure to use your turn signals whenever you change lanes or make a turn. While traveling through a green light, take a quick look to ensure no one else is ignoring their red light. Generally, you should have an awareness of what’s going on within a 50-foot radius around your vehicle at all times.

A lot goes into defensive driving, but every bit is well worth it. You’ll have fewer accidents (major or minor), lower car insurance rates, and lower car repair bills. Most of all, you’ll be able to enjoy your vehicle for years to come.

Car Safety: Never Take your Car for Granted

February 6, 2018 by Steve Gebhardt

As the old saying goes, driving is a privilege and not a right. Only those who can pass the driving tests are allowed to drive, and certain expectations must be met. The world has entrusted you to be responsible for your license and your vehicle, and it can be taken away if you break that trust. The last thing you want to do is go through all the work of taking the tests and buying a vehicle, only to lose access.

So, how do you avoid taking this privilege for granted? Here are just a few ways to ensure that you drive responsibly and are allowed to keep doing so for many years to come.

Drive defensively

Defensive driving is a common term going around, especially in the Driver’s Ed world. It refers to a number of things that boil down to the basic concept of “watching out for the other guy”. It’s hard to tell what someone else will do on the road at any given time. While you don’t want to live in constant fear that the worst is about to happen, you need to be very mindful that anything could happen.

Always be mindful of other drivers and their location. Some drivers will signal before switching lanes while others won’t. Some drivers will drift in their lane and come too close. Some will cross many lanes suddenly, or slow down quickly, or speed past you. If you are mentally ready to react, you will be much safer. Keep your focus on the road and the situations around you, including construction areas, pedestrians, and changing road conditions.

Follow the law

Never taking your car for granted also involves following the rules of the road. While they can seem to be limitations to your driving style, they are there to keep us all safe. Speed limits stop us from going too fast in areas where we may need to react quickly, and traffic lights ensure that everyone passes through safely. DUI and DWI laws are in place to convince people not to drive while impaired, as it’s not only bad for those around them, but could be fatal for the driver themselves. Even being pulled over without insurance is against the law, as it is for your own good to be insured in case of an accident.

If you’re caught breaking a driving law, a range of punishments could be dealt out. Sometimes it’s just a fine (which can be a lot of money, and very inconvenient), or you could get points on your license, or get your license revoked. Even worse, you can cause a wreck, be liable for injuries and damages, and also be charged with breaking a law that led to the accident. It’s a lot better to just follow the rules that are there to keep us all safe.

Get those repairs

Probably the most obvious aspect of not taking your car for granted is to be sure to stay up on your car maintenance. There are tons of different parts in your car, and all of them need to be taken care of on a regular basis. There is no part of a car that lasts the entire life of a vehicle, except maybe the engine and transmission. Eventually, everything else needs repair or replacing.

Some aspects of car repair include replacing tires, belts, brakes, rotors, batteries, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. The most common maintenance is the oil change every 3,000 miles. Skipping this one a few times can cause major damage to the engine, leading to much bigger repairs.

Never ignore a light or an odd sound. While sometimes the light that appears on your dashboard may be nothing to worry about, sometimes it is very important. Odd sounds can be the same way: some are nothing to worry about while others are a sign of big problems to come. The best thing to do is to take it to a shop to figure out what’s wrong and get it fixed.

Ideally, check these things on your own from time to time. Check the oil dipstick occasionally to see if you’re low or if the oil is darker than usual. Check your tire pressure weekly to make sure the tires aren’t losing air. Use gas treatment from time to time to keep the fuel line clean. Take note of how well your car reacts when pushing the gas or pushing the brake. All of these preventative maintenance tasks will help you find problems early and fix them for less cost.

Pitfalls of taking your car for granted

All kinds of problems can arise when you take your car for granted. Break a law and you can have your license revoked. Drive unsafely and you could cause an accident and lose your car. Ignore maintenance issues and your car can break down beyond repair.

For your own good, never take your car for granted. There was a time in your life when you did not have a vehicle, and now that you do, it’s easy to get used to the privilege. It’s very tough to readjust to life without a car once you have had one, especially if there is little to no public transit in your area.

There are many resources out there that offer information on preventative maintenance, driving laws, and safe driving for teens. Take a look and learn how you can treat your car like the privilege that it is rather than a right.

10 Best Driving Tips for Safe Driving

January 30, 2018 by Steve Gebhardt

Safe driving can literally be a life saver but it can also save you a ton of money and stress. Follow our 10 best driving tips to make the most of your driving experiences.

Maintain your vehicle

Your vehicle can’t take care of you if you don’t take care of it. This includes oil changes, tires and all regular car maintenance. Deferred maintenance and repairs can prevent your vehicle from responding the way it should. Brakes are crucial for stopping quickly. Proper tires can help you stay on the road. Maintenance can be expensive, but it is a critical component in keeping you safe.

Follow best practices in the vehicle at ALL times

This goes for you and your passengers. Examples of good practices include wearing your safety belts each and every time as well as making sure passengers are wearing theirs. In addition, make certain your littlest passengers are secured in car seats or booster seats as their weight and height dictate. If you have questions about the best type of seat for your child, reach out to your local fire department and see if they have appointments for car seat installations.

Limit distractions

There are a million different ways we invite distractions into the vehicle with us. Screaming children, a blaring stereo, phone calls, eating, and applying makeup are all contributors to dangerously distracted driving. Some people enjoy taking pets for car rides and end up with a dog or cat underfoot while driving. Other people think that they will take advantage of commute traffic to catch up on their reading. These activities all lead to a lack of attention and possible delayed responses which can cause a car accident.

Check the weather

While emergency equipment in the car such as water, blankets, and a radio are always a good idea, preparations should also always include checking the weather. Some states now have websites that allow you to access traffic cameras so you can see the condition of the roads in real time. Snow, fog, ice, high winds, monsoons, and haboobs are all important weather conditions that you should be aware of ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.

The best offense is a good defense

To truly drive safely you need to be aware of what’s going on around you. This includes looking ahead for traffic that may have abruptly stopped and checking your rearview mirror regularly to see what’s happening behind you. Also, be aware of people beside you. Driving in someone’s blind spot is never a good idea and if someone is driving erratically or aggressively, make a concerted effort to simply get out of their way.

Stay calm

With more drivers on the road than ever, it is important that you stay calm and collected. Some road rage incidents have had tragic outcomes. If you encounter someone tail gating you, yelling or otherwise being aggressive, get out of the way. Do not engage in these types of encounters. If necessary, get off the road somewhere public and safe, such as a local police station. While these types of situations can be scary, you need to stay calm and stay focused on safely removing yourself from the situation.

Rest up

Some days, it is hard to get enough sleep in the best of circumstances. Regardless, you cannot be exhausted and be safe in the driver’s seat of a car. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can cause similar impairments to drunk driving. Speaking of which…

Don’t drink and drive – ever

This should not need to be said and yet, “every day, almost 29 people in the United States die in alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes—that’s one person every 50 minutes in 2016”. Driving while under the influence impairs your vision, reflexes and decision making skills making drunk drivers much the most dangerous people on the road. Drunk driving accidents are preventable and tragic. Please, don’t ever get behind the wheel while impaired.

Obey the law

Pay attention to speed limits and avoid careless habits like tail gating. Leaving enough space between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you will give you enough time to stop abruptly if needed. Maintaining a reasonable speed gives you the opportunity to stop or slow down as needed as well. Make sure that you have a valid driver’s license and enough insurance coverage and that you are following all the rules of the road as established by your state and lastly, almost all state has enacted mandatory car insurance so be sure to have one before going behind the wheel or suffer the consequences for not having one.

Give yourself enough time

Too many accidents are caused because people are in a hurry to get somewhere. Leave yourself enough time so that you are tempted to make poor choices on the road such as speeding or driving dangerously. Your life is simply not worth the extra five minutes.

While these tips are helpful and should be heeded for safety sake, there are simply no guarantees of accident-free driving. Make sure that in addition to driving as safely as possible you have all the necessary auto insurance in place to protect yourself in the event of an accident. With fines, the cost of repairs and plenty of uninsured motorists on the road, the risk of driving without car insurance simply isn’t worth it. The roads are getting more and more crowded; make good choices and drive with care.