If your morning routine includes a commute, you are already aware of how stressful the roadways can be from 6 AM to 8 AM. You and millions of other drivers cram the highways heading to the office or school, causing traffic and other problematic delays. While we can’t get rid of traffic altogether, we can help make the drive a little safer.
Here’s How to Make Your AM Drive Less Stressful
Giving yourself more time to get ready or making sure you are fully rested are great ways to ensure you aren’t rushed in the morning. Rushing around, aka speeding, is incredibly dangerous and can create serious accidents. You should always obey the speed limit. Here are some other tips, thanks to Defensivedriving.org, that can make you a better commuter.
- Choose a safe vehicle: A safe commute starts with a safe car. When shopping for a vehicle you’ll use on your commute, remember to check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings to see how the models you’re considering stack up. And if it’s in your budget, look for a vehicle that has next-level
safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, blind spot detection, and automatic braking. - Take the safest route: You know the highway will probably be packed during rush hour. Consider whether taking back roads or an alternative way might be faster, less congested, or naturally more scenic and enjoyable. Use an app like Waze that will automatically direct you to the least crowded road on your way to work. Remember that traffic conditions can change every day depending on accidents, construction, even events.
- Give other drivers space: When you’re in bumper to bumper traffic, giving other drivers space is sometimes easier said than done. But if you leave adequate space between you and the driver in front of you, you’ll be safer and less likely to get in an accident. With
extra space , you will have a longer time to react to anything happening in front of you, and even if you’re completely stopped in traffic, leaving space ahead can help you avoid getting pushed into the vehicle in front of you if you’re rear-ended. - Please don’t engage in aggressive driving: There’s no question that drivers get irritated on their daily commute. Add frustrating conditions like traffic, accidents, and continually getting cut off, it’s understandable. But it’s safer to be courteous and avoid engaging in aggressive driving. Tailgating, cutting off other drivers, failing to yield, and even making gestures can be dangerous. Take a deep breath and keep your cool for safety’s sake.
- Leave early on tough driving days: You’d probably rather hit snooze one more time, but on tough driving days, it’s best to leave a little early to be ready for difficult conditions on the road. If you know it will be rainy or otherwise bad weather; you may need extra time to make it to work. If you give yourself this extra time, you’ll be able to drive calmly instead of suffering from anxiety about being late to work. Keep an eye out for inclement weather, the days before holidays, even back to school days when traffic may be a bit more difficult than usual.
- Make use of your time: Staying entertained on your commute may not make you safer, but it will make you happier and more at peace with your daily drive. Listening to the radio day in and day out can get old and leave you bored — maybe even tempted to text or check in on Facebook while you’re sitting in traffic. Consider safe entertainment alternatives such as
audiobooks , podcasts, and lectures that can have you engaged without taking your focus off of the road. - Focus on driving: However, you commute, it’s essential that you avoid distracted driving. Cell phones cause about as many crashes as speeding, and each day nine Americans are killed by distracted driving accidents. Texting makes you eight times more likely to crash, and distractions like grooming, watching videos, and eating can prove deadly as well. Even if you’re stuck in a long commute, it’s essential that you commit to focusing on the road and the task at hand: driving.
The Takeaway
Following safe driving habits is an excellent start to making your commute easier. Of course, you also want to make sure your Connecticut auto insurance is current and protecting you properly. Contact our insurance experts and review your auto policy today to make sure you have the right coverage options in place.