Protecting your car is about more than getting the best possible car insurance. You also need to take certain steps if you’re interested in avoiding a car accident.
Want to know how you can stay safe and avoid getting into car accidents? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know!
1. Arizonians Need to Avoid Distracted Driving
One of the biggest secrets to avoiding a car accident is creating a safer environment inside the car. That begins with limiting your distractions whenever possible.
The number one potential distraction is your cell phone. Countless accidents are caused by drivers who aren’t paying full attention because they are making a call, sending a text, or scrolling through their social media feeds.
Other distractions include making adjustments to the radio and fiddling with your GPS. Long story short? You need to adjust your GPS and set your tunes before you get on the road. If you absolutely must make a phone call while driving, use Bluetooth so you can still keep both hands on the wheel.
2. Avoid Driving in Poor Weather in AZ
Here’s the thing about driving: just about everybody learns to drive in safe driving conditions. That means you don’t get a lot of experience driving in the rain or other poor driving conditions. And when drivers try to drive in bad weather, they often get into car accidents.
We recommend avoiding driving in poor weather whenever possible. When you can’t avoid it, treat each bad weather drive as a learning experience. By learning things like how your car handles in the typical Arizona monsoon and how much longer it takes your car to stop, you can be a much safer driver, even in the worst weather.
3. Don’t Speed While Driving Arizona Roads
Many drivers like to joke about speed limits. They see these limits as unfair and like to speed whenever possible. Make no mistake: speeding drivers get into the most car accidents.
In reality, speed limits are not arbitrary. They are in place to remind Arizona drivers of the safest maximum speed for that section of the road. When speed limits get lower, it usually has to do with things like upcoming turns, uneven roads, high traffic, etc.
Avoiding speeding reduces your risk of getting into a car accident (this is especially true around the holidays). By avoiding accidents, you can make your low-cost auto insurance even cheaper by potentially qualifying for a safe driving discount.
4. Arizona Drivers Always Check Your Blind Spot
What do you imagine most drivers say after getting into a car accident? “I never even saw them coming!” In reality, most of the people who say this either failed to properly scan the road or failed to check their blind spots.
If you are really interested in avoiding a car accident, don’t put all your faith in your rearview mirrors. Always check before changing lanes, turning, or doing anything else where you might be struck by a car in your blind spot. This reduces your chance of getting into a hit-and-run accident with another driver.
And don’t forget that other drivers have blind spots too. Stay safe by staying out of them, especially when the driver is behind the wheel of a semi-truck!
5. Refrain from Driving at Night in Arizona
You may not think there is much of a difference between driving during the day and driving at night. In reality, nighttime is the most dangerous time to drive. This is due to a combination of low visibility, fatigue, and impaired drivers. Put it all together, and you can see why most fatal car crashes occur on Saturday nights. Great swathes of Arizona are not lit at all at night, making the roads very dark.
It’s best to avoid night driving whenever possible. When you can’t avoid it, be extra cautious when you get behind the wheel. Since your visibility is lower and other drivers are likelier to act in a reckless manner, driving slowly and more cautiously is a great way to avoid a crash.
6. Never Drink and Drive Anywhere
On paper, everyone knows that you shouldn’t drink and drive. Drinking leads to impaired judgment, and impaired judgment behind the wheel leads to accidents and even death.
Despite this, a shocking number of people who have been drinking convince themselves they are good to drive. They reason that they’ve only had a few and will be safe behind the wheel. In reality, even “buzzed driving” is very dangerous and likely to lead to an accident. If you get caught driving while impaired in Arizona, you may have to file an SR-22 with the state, which will increase your insurance costs for several years.
Never drive when you’ve been drinking. Catch a ride from a friend or family member, or just use a rideshare service to get home. Your car will still be waiting for you in the morning.
7. Regular Car Maintenance Is Crucial in Dry Arizona
One of the best and simplest ways to avoid a car accident is regular car maintenance. Things like failing brakes or tires blowing out can be enough to cause an accident for even the best drivers in the world. Arizona’s dry climate can take a toll on many components of your vehicle.
We recommend taking your car in for regular maintenance each year. On top of that, don’t hesitate to take your car to a mechanic if you hear funny noises, the car handles oddly, or your “check engine” light comes on.
By keeping your car safe, you can keep yourself safe. Conversely, if you don’t take care of your car, you may be taking your life into your hands.
Get the Best Low-Cost Auto Insurance in AZ Today!
Now you know how to protect yourself from a car accident. But do you know how to protect your car with the best insurance coverage at the most affordable rates?
Here at Oasis, we are ready to give your car the protection it deserves. To see how we can help you get a great auto insurance policy, come get a quick online car insurance quote. Or you can always come by one of our convenient local offices. Or pick up a phone and give us a call at 800-330-5190.
