Are you a new driver? Congratulations on this exciting milestone! Whether you just came of age or simply haven’t gotten your license until now, becoming a new driver marks an important transition. While it opens up a world of opportunity, it also comes with great responsibility. One thing that weighs heavy on your mind, is liability and insurance. It’s a good thing you found this article. As a provider of automobile insurance we’ll help put your foot to the pedal and so that you can hit the road with confidence.
5 Tips to Help Keep New Drivers (and their cars) Safe and Liability Free
1. Be Mindful of Distractions (especially the subtle ones)
Collectively, driver distractions represent the biggest cause of automobile accidents. Some are obvious, such as eating, putting on makeup, or texting while driving. Be sure to avoid doing any of those at all costs. However, you also want to note the less obvious distractions that are just as impactful. These include the use of hands-free Bluetooth tech, conversations with passengers, adjusting automobile controls (heating/cooling, seat position, auto-infotainment, etc.), and even negative thoughts. Take note of these four unanticipated driver distractions to make sure that they don’t get in your way on the road.
2. Stay Awake to Stay Alert
Driver fatigue is one of the top causes of car accidents in Canada. Missing 2 to 3 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period quadruples your risk of a car accident. You will need to take a good look at your lifestyle. Sleep patterns that worked for you when dependent upon public transit, walking, or biking, may not translate to your new role as a driver. Incorporating naps into your routine, watching what you eat before a long drive, and all-around time management will go a long way in keeping you alert on the road. View these 5 tips to help you stay awake while driving.
3. Keep Your Vehicle Safe from Predators
Next to an accident, nothing can ruin the new driver experience quite like having your car stolen, broken into, and/or vandalized. The Greater Vancouver area has long held the distinction as one of the car theft capitals of the province and country. Data also shows that theft from motor vehicles has gone up 50 percent. And now, with cars becoming more high-tech, a new wave of automobile hackers are flying under the radar and making away with automobiles at a rapid pace. Thankfully, a few key steps will help abate your concern. Keep all valuables out of sight once parked, and hide your vehicle registration. Also, park in a well-lit area and in a manner that makes it difficult for a quick getaway (i.e. with wheels turned toward the curb). View our complete 5-step guide to keeping your car safe from break-ins and theft.
4. Early Adoption of the Characteristics of a Good Driver
As a new driver, you have a leg up on the rest when it comes to nipping bad driving habits in the bud. There are very clear personality characteristics of bad and good drivers. Bad drivers are reactionary, competitive, risk takers, and have a poor ability to concentrate. Good drivers are patient, considerate, defensive (on the road), and knowledgeable. Reference Park Insurance’s guide that identifies the characteristics of both bad and good drivers, perform a self-assessment, and adjust your pattern of behavior accordingly.
5. Consult with an Independent Automobile Insurance Broker
This is one of the most important steps you can take. New drivers, by default, often follow their friends or family’s lead when it comes to securing insurance coverage. However, it is essential to make sure that you receive coverage that is custom-tailored to your life and your unique needs on the road. This unbiased assessment can only come from an independent insurance broker that specializes in automobile insurance.
Contact Park Insurance today to make sure that you have the most comprehensive auto insurance policy possible. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from your first mile to your cross-country road trip, and beyond.