Top Five Accident Claims and Safe Driving Tips

An earlier article mentioned the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test (take it yourself). Now GMAC Insurance and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety have come up with the 5 most common mistakes drivers make and some tips on how to avoid them.

1. Following Too Closely. According to GMAC Insurance’s claims managers, the majority of claims are for rear-end accidents resulting from following too closely.

   Driving Tip: One Thousand One, One Thousand Two. Don’t knock it, leaving a two-second cushion between you and the vehicle ahead could save your life and your bumper. Make sure to double or triple that time when the weather is bad or the pavement is slick.

2. Failure to Yield on a Left Hand Turn. GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, one in five drivers did not correctly answer a question about the right of way when making a left turn.

   Driving Tip: Check the Flow Before You Go. Look to the street you are turning into to make sure that no vehicles or pedestrians are in your path, which could leave you stranded in the path of oncoming traffic.

3. Incorrect Merging. According to the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, half of drivers do not merge into heavy traffic correctly.

   Driving Tip: Yellow is for Yield. Accidents often occur when you are stuck behind a driver who interprets yield as stop. Don’t be the guilty party. Use the ramp as a means for merging into traffic not causing it.

4. Speeding. The GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test reports that 10% of the respondents claim that they regularly speed – that translates to 20 million drivers.

   Driving Tip: Use the Minute Monitor. The best way to avoid speeding is to check your speedometer every 60 seconds. It is easy to exceed the speed limit when you’re “keeping up with traffic,” but that excuse won’t hold up to even the most lenient of police officers.

5. Backing up. Twenty-four percent of the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test respondents admitted that they have backed up without looking over their shoulder.

   Driving Tip: Look Over Your Shoulder. Don’t be fooled by smoke and mirrors. Your mirrors have a margin of error; don’t rely on them alone. Look over your shoulder before backing up.