Staying Safe on the Roads with Practical Driving and Insurance

As winter descends on a good portion of the country drivers are reminded to practice safe driving habits to avoid accidents, more importantly staying away from costly insurance bills.

As the numbers point out, there were more than 6,500,000 auto accidents in the U.S. in 2009. If you do the math, that works out to an average of 17,800 per day.

According to a Farmers insurance release, rains several days before Christmas 2010 in Southern California led to more than 150 auto accidents daily.

For those venturing out on the roads during the challenging winter drive across the nation, there are some tips drivers can employ to cut down on the chances they will be involved in a serious accident.

It should not come as a surprise that the best defense when hitting the roads is a good offense. That being the case, make sure before you hit the road you have adequate insurance coverage in place. It is important to keep proof of insurance, with the phone number of your agent in your car.

When it comes to driving in the snow, ice or rain:

First, make sure you maintain a good distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front at all times, especially in bad weather. Given that water can lead to your car hydroplaning, you could have trouble braking suddenly.

Drivers are also advised not to try crossing roads that are flooded. The reasoning here is that one does not know how fast the water is moving; a vehicle can be upended in a matter of seconds.

In the event a driver is involved in an accident, they should not leave the vehicle for their own safety. Call police and wait for them to arrive. In the event it is safe to move around, check for injuries in your car and other drivers and passengers.

When involved in an accident, write down the names/addresses/phone numbers/license numbers of all involved in the accident. Be sure also to include the information from any witnesses.

Drivers should also be sure to take down details of the accident, things like the locale and any special circumstances like the weather at the time of the accident.

Lastly, notify your insurer as soon as possible following the accident. Your insurer will provide you with information on how to file a claim and any further steps necessary to be completed in dealing with the accident.