Smart Auto Insurance Blog

There are some great tips on defensive driving to help keep you safe on the Encompass Car Insurance website.  Their Plan & Learn section on their site says that drunk drivers are the most dangerous violators on the road and half of all highway fatalities are due to drinking and driving.

They offer some tips to keep your eye out for potentially drunk drivers when you are on the road.  Some of these include unusually wide turns, weaving, swerving, sudden stops, tailgating, no headlights at night, drifting, slow response to traffic signs, or driving on the wrong side of the road.

If you happen to notice such a driver on the road it’s important to maintain a safe distance.  Allow the traffic violator to pass you, and do not try to pass them.  If the driver is coming head-on move into the nearest shoulder and use your horn and lights to try and get them to realize they are driving the wrong way.  If possible, get the driver’s license and report the situation to the police.  The quicker this person can get off the road, the safer everyone will be.

Drivers in twenty-seven states can save money by taking an online course to reduce their monthly premiums and erase disciplinary points resulting from violations from their license.

The online courses cost drivers about $50 to take, and can save drivers about 10% off their auto insurance rates, for about 3 years.

Drivers who have points on their license can drop up to four points when they successfully complete the course, which deals with

1. collision prevention,
2. defensive driving techniques
3. aggressive driving
4. improper lane use and
5. driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Online and in-class sessions are also available from American Safety Council, Inc. and the National Point and Insurance Reduction Course, Inc.   Once drivers complete the online course, the DMV is notified automatically, but individuals must inform their auto insurance company within 90 days to receive the discount.