In honor of Mother’s Day on May 9 (don’t say we didn’t tell you), we gathered a list of the best driving advice mom ever doled out. The following tips are by no means new, but like most of mom’s advice over the years, they’re full of good, old-fashioned common sense.
Buckle up. Seems like a no-brainer nowadays. But according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, victims in more than half of all fatal car accidents weren’t wearing seatbelts. And aside from the obvious safety risks, there’s also the added risk of a traffic ticket.
Go slow. This is a mom oldie and a mom goodie. Speed limits serve an important purpose. Not following them can get you in a heap of trouble with Johnny Law (no one likes traffic school) — not to mention increase the likelihood of an accident. Driving a little slower will also boost your car’s fuel efficiency, saving you cash at the pump.
Respect the weather. Rain, snow, and fog make it hard to see clearly. Plus, wet surfaces require 2 to 10 times more stopping distance than dry ones. Check out our Winter Driving post for more tips, and in extremely poor situations, don’t drive if you don’t have to.
Keep your distance. Mama said you can’t hurry love, and really, the same thing applies to the car in front of you. Tailgating (the driving kind) never made anyone drive faster, and it cuts down on your reaction time if you have to stop in a hurry. If you’re looking for a way to measure your distance, there’s a lot to be said for the 3-second rule. Use a tree or pole on the side of the road to gauge how closely you’re following the car ahead. If there are less than 3 seconds between you and the car in front of you, slow down or switch lanes to pass.
Learn defensive driving. Chances are you’ve picked up bad habits since you first got your license. A defensive driving course can help you brush up on the rules of the road, which in turn helps you avoid tickets and accidents, which in turn saves you money on car insurance (we should know).
Send thank-you notes. This one’s a staple of moms everywhere, and while it’s not related to driving, our list wouldn’t be complete without it.
Bottom line: Drive like your mom’s in the car and chances are you’ll be a slower, safer (and dare we say better?) driver. Like it or not, mom’s advice could help you avoid tickets and accidents, which could end up saving you money on your auto insurance. And while not quite as tasty as mom’s meatloaf, saving money’s always a good thing.
Questions or comments on this post? We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at communications@esurance.com.
Related links:
List of seatbelt laws by state
Driving in a winter wonderland (an Esurance Insight)
ProFlowers (hint, hint)
