To be a “good driver,” you need to do more than operate a vehicle properly. 

You also need to practice and constantly work on your driving habits if you want to improve as a driver.

Having the proper habits on the road can help prevent tickets, collisions, and other avoidable accidents from occurring.

Furthermore, some Canadian insurance providers, like our friends at Travelers, offer discounts to drivers that showcase their good driving habits through smartphone applications, like the IntelliDrive app. 

With all of this in mind, it’s easy to see that working on your driving skills and habits can be highly beneficial in the long run.

So, if you’d like to improve your driving habits, be sure to take advantage of the following tips and tricks:

#1 — Don’t forget to signal ahead of time

Most drivers know the importance of checking their blindspots while merging or switching lanes. However, many drivers overlook the importance of signalling ahead of time.

Signalling lets other drivers know which direction you’re planning on turning, merging, etc. This gives them the time to get out of the way or accommodate you in the lane. However, if you forget to signal, other motorists don’t have the opportunity to slow down, speed up, etc., which can lead to accidents.

So, the next time you’re out driving, don’t forget to signal before changing or merging lanes.

#2 — Always obey the speed limit

You may feel tempted to zoom down an empty highway or open country road late at night, but it’s never worth the risk.

Sticking to the set speed limit is one of the best driving habits that you can pick up. Driving over the set speed limit is extremely dangerous, especially at night. This is due to the fact that driving over the speed limit gives you less time to react to oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, animals, etc.

Additionally, if you are caught speeding, you’ll receive demerit points. The amount of demerit points that you receive depends on the severity of the offence and the location the offence took place in.

For instance, in Ontario, drivers can receive anywhere from two to six demerit points for speeding.

Click here if you’d like to learn more about how demerit points work and how they affect insurance rates in Canada.

#3 — Stay focused on the road and avoid potential distractions

Whether you have poor, average or good driving skills, you need to stay focused while operating a vehicle.

According to the team at Intact Insurance, approximately 78% of collisions are due to distracted driving. Additionally, roughly 65% of near-collisions were caused by distractions.

If you want to stay safe and focused on the road, we recommend avoiding the following distractions:

• Cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. (turning these off or on silent can help you stay in the zone)
• Food and drinks (particularly if they contain hot liquids)
• Typing data into a GPS while driving (we suggest planning your route ahead of time)

#4 — Always buckle up your seatbelt

Even though using a seat belt is a quick and simple task, many Canadians forget (or choose not) to buckle up before they hit the road.

Operating a vehicle without a seat belt is extremely dangerous, as it’s proven to reduce the likelihood of front seat injuries (by up to 50%) or front seat deaths (by up to 45%) in the event of an accident.

That being said, driving without a seat belt isn’t just dangerous — it can also be expensive!

For example, if you’re caught driving or riding in a vehicle without a seat belt, you will receive two demerit points and need to pay a fine ranging from $200 to $1,000.

So, if you want to protect yourself and your wallet, buckling up is one of the best safe driving habits that you can pick up.

#5 — Play music at an appropriate volume

Loud music can be extremely distracting to drivers, as it prevents them from hearing nearby vehicles, pedestrians and other aspects of their surroundings. 

Not being able to hear your surroundings makes it difficult for you to respond to issues in a timely manner and can potentially lead to an accident.

While driving, make sure that the music is low enough for you to clearly hear your passengers, nearby vehicles and additional noises, like sirens. 

#6 — Don’t tailgate other drivers

As a reminder, tailgating is the act of driving too close to the motorist in front of you. 

Tailgating is unnecessarily risky, as it makes many drivers feel uncomfortable and may lead them to make a poor or irrational decision. Furthermore, if the driver in front of you suddenly stops, you will have less time to react.

A safer driving practice is to stay at least one car length away from other vehicles on the road (in front and behind you). Keeping a safe distance reduces the chances of minor car accidents, like fender benders, or more severe incidences, like multi-car crashes.

#7 — Never drive without valid auto insurance

Driving without valid auto insurance is considered illegal in all Canadian provinces and territories.

Operating a vehicle without valid auto insurance can lead to a variety of consequences ranging from expensive fines to potentially being flagged as a high-risk driver.

If you’re currently looking for auto insurance in Canada, be sure to team up with a top-rated brokerage, like Surex, to get access to the most competitive quotes in the country.

Policyholders can save up to 25% when they bundle with Surex

At Surex, we work with over ten of the top-rated insurance providers in Canada. By working with a variety of reputable insurance carriers, we’re able to offer policyholders, like you, some of the best quotes in the business! This means that you can get a collection of quotes from multiple companies without calling a long list of agencies.

Opt for tour one-stop-shop approach today and receive your quotes in ten minutes or less! While you’re comparing quotes over the phone or online, don’t forget to ask about the various benefits of bundling your policies with a single carrier (the savings can be as high as 25%!).