Keep Your Summer Ticket-Free and Your Insurance Rates Low

Well, after the weather we enjoyed Easter Sunday, and especially yesterday, it’s not hard to envision those warm days of summer and the itch to take to the open road. With the sun shining and thoughts of your day-trip destination in mind, it can be easy to get caught up in enjoying the experience and be less aware of the rules of the road. But great weather conditions often translate into an increased police presence on the roadways as officers are on the lookout for drivers who aren’t obeying the law. Keep in mind that a ticket could lead to an increase in your insurance rates, so drive safe and avoid a costly mistake.

Keep an Eye on Your Speed

It’s important to watch your speed when you’re headed down the highway, regardless of how excited you and your passengers may be to get where you’re going. Speeding tickets are the most common driving infraction police give tickets for, and will almost always impact your insurance rates. Obviously, the higher your speed, the more serious the ticket. A ticket for 15 km over the limit and 50 km over the limit are not looked at in the same light – neither by the police nor your insurance company.

Obey Road Signs and Signals

After speeding, infractions like failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or running a red light are some of the more common infractions people are ticketed for in the Spring and Summer months. Come to a complete stop at stop signs, and obey all other signs on the road carefully.

Another important thing to keep in mind while driving during summer months is the increase in road construction and maintenance work. Keep your eyes peeled for temporary signs indicating reduced speed limits, lane closures and other construction related activities.

It’s important to note that tickets you receive while driving in construction zone come with significantly higher fines than non-construction zones. Consequently, you hit to your wallet could be significant too.

Drive Cautiously, Not Recklessly

Sure, driving seems like a much more enjoyable experience when the roads are free of snow and ice, but that doesn’t mean you should be less vigilant or your surroundings, or less cautious in general.

Don’t follow too closely behind other vehicles. Not only could you could a ticket for it, in significantly increases your odds of being involved in an at-fault accident – either of which is going to translate into an increase in your insurance rates.

And just because school’s out, it’s still prudent to use caution in areas where children might be playing… and not paying attention to their surroundings. Very few police officers are going to be forgiving if you are caught speeding or driving recklessly near a playground or anywhere children gather.

Safe Summer Driving, Low Insurance Rates

Driving safely in the summer helps to prevent serious accidents, injuries, fatalities and property damage. So, protect yourself are your wallet by following the rules of the road whenever you get behind the wheel.

The behaviour that leads to getting tickets is generally the same thing that causes accidents. Slow down, watch for construction zones and children, and always be certain you are driving safely and legally.

Source: insurancehotline.com