21st Century Car Insurance Safe Driving

21st Century Auto Insurance Safe Driving Tips

Safe driving in bad weather

• Allow more time to reach your destination
• You can’t rush through wet road conditions without running the risk of an accident.
• Plan ahead and allow ample time, which may require you to take an alternate route due to road hazards and unexpected debris.

Reduce your speed - Don't tailgate

• When the roads are wet, they are slippery. Need to reduce your normal driving speed to accommodate the change in road conditions.
• Driving slower helps you stay further back from the car ahead. This allows you more time to stop safely and if necessary, suddenly with less risk of sliding or hitting another vehicle.

Drive in center lanes

Sometimes it is difficult to see the lane lines. When possible, avoid the outside lane, which may be subject to flooding. Splashing through puddles may cause water to get into your engine causing a stall or in your brakes, preventing you from stopping effectively.

Good operating windshield wipers, lights and brakes

Visibility is critical in wet weather.

Be more observant of the road conditions ahead of you, and on the side of you.

If you can’t see out of your windshield, you may miss signal light changes, or run into a pedestrian or over shoot the limit line.

Use your headlights in wet weather conditions. It helps the other drivers see your car and avoid hitting you.

Brakes can get wet. Avoid puddles as much as possible without swerving in and out of lanes. Don’t be afraid of your anti-lock braking system. If you have to apply such brakes suddenly, hold them down firm until you stop. Don’t pump these types of brakes.

Turn on the radio to get the latest weater conditions and road hazards to avoid

Flood warnings and road hazards are announced frequently on your local radio stations. Tune in to find out what roads or hazards to avoid. Taking a little more time by using an alternate route may save your life and avoid unnecessary difficult driving conditions.

If you must take your usual route, and a road hazard has been identified, reduce your speed, avoid distractions like cell phone use, eating, tuning your stereo or changing CD’s.

Carry flares in your trunk. If your car does stall, you can warn other drivers in advance.

Worn tires may cause your car to skid out of control

Check your tires for correct air pressure

The law allows for minimum tread on a tire is 1/32 of an inch. However, you run the risk of losing control of your vehicle if you drive through an oil slick or puddle. Avoid skidding situations, replace worn tires.

Drive when you are not tired

Difficult road conditions require your full attention. Eyestrain can occur more easily if you’re tired.

Pull off to the side of the road if you find yourself experiencing difficulty concentrating.

Rest your eyes for a while before resuming driving.