Avoid Becoming a Distracted Driver: Auto Insurance Tips in New Bedford

Distracted driving is something that most of us associate with teen drivers, particularly because of all the commercials and PSAs that we see about teens who are distracted while driving. However, the truth is that all drivers can become distracted to some degree, either by the things going on inside their car, the traffic around them, or other things that are occurring within their day. Cell phones with constant text messages and phone calls, music stations that are changed frequently, and even arguing kids in the backseat – all can lead to increased chances for becoming involved in an accident. Anything that takes away the attention of the driver – even just for a second – can be dangerous. Here are some tips from your insurance agency in New Bedford that can help you to prevent becoming a distracted driver.

Establish Good Habits When Driving

One way to prevent distracted driving is to remove potential distractions from your earshot and line of vision. Keep your cell phone in the center panel or glove box while you’re driving. This is one of the best cell phone tips. This makes it impossible to look at texts while moving. Most cars have hands-free gadgets that link via Bluetooth. These devices can be dangerous.

Some sounds or sights designed into your vehicle’s console could help you escape an accident, but others are a distraction. Using your vehicle’s features for calling someone, answering a call, turning off an alert, or doing anything else has the potential to cause an accident. Pull over to the shoulder or better yet, get off the road completely and do it in the parking lot of a gas station.

A Sleepy Driver is a Dangerous Driver

A driver who is tired is another big distraction that is often forgotten. For every hour you drive while tired, your chances of getting into an accident go up by four. The U.S. government has done studies that show more than 35% of drivers have either nodded off or actually fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once in their lives. How scary is that? Driving while tired is in many ways as bad as driving drunk or otherwise impaired.

Take a break from driving if you’re tired. Pull off the road into a rest stop or travel center. If there is another driver in the car with you, you might want to let them drive for a while. Some people think that the answer is caffeine, but you really shouldn’t just get back on the road after drinking a lot of coffee or eating a lot of sugar. It’s possible for coffee and sugar to make you more likely to get into an accident if you are tired and jittery.

Consider Taking a Safety Class

It doesn’t hurt to take a training even if you’ve been driving for a long time. Check with your MA car insurance agent to see if there are any safety classes near you. If you are a teen or senior driver in Massachusetts, taking these classes could lower your insurance rate. You are less likely to be in an accident if you know more about safety and are better at using what you know.

In the same way that you need New Bedford home insurance to protect your home, you need New Bedford auto insurance to protect your car. It’s best to protect your investment as much as possible by keeping your car in good shape, learning how to drive safely, and getting good insurance. Safety isn’t just for teen or new drivers, we could all use a refresher course every now and then.

Share Distracted Driving Concerns with Teens

If you do have teen drivers in your home, make sure to discuss your concerns about distracted driving with them. You should even consider having a chat with younger children who could become a distraction while out on the road. Kids often have problems during commutes and road trips. You know at least one child who always has to go to the bathroom, get a tissue, cry over a dropped toy, or fight with a sibling.

It can be easier to keep things under control if you teach your kids more about road safety and staying focused while you drive to work or on a family trip. Parents can still threaten to “pull the car over” as an old trick, but when your kids understand the safety implications of distracted driving due to arguments and travel needs, they might change their behavior. Stopping to talk, get toys that were dropped, and settle arguments is a much better option than doing it while on the road.

Multi-Tasking When on the Road

Our cars are where we do many things. We eat, drink, sneeze, and even clean our glasses. All of these things are distractions that could end badly. Your New Bedford auto insurance agent wants to remember you that being busy is no reason to drive while distracted. Stop doing other things while driving. You owe it to yourself, your family, and other people on the road.

We’ve all seen people in their cars put on makeup, fix their hair, use hand sanitizer, and change the radio station. All of these things are distracting, which is bad, because they can cause crashes. You might want to get up earlier in the morning to do the things you usually do in the car. It can make it a lot less likely that you’ll be in an accident.

Lower Your Insurance Rate and Drive Safely!

Borden Insurance Agency is the place to go for car insurance in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and the nearby towns. Talk to an expert for MA car insurance to get a FREE QUOTE on MA auto insurance. You can also get New Bedford home insurance, boat insurance, life insurance, and commercial business insurance from us, among other types of insurance. You can call us at 508-999-3636 and talk to one of our agents to find out more about the different insurance plans we offer in New Bedford.