Good Driving Habits Help Save Lives and Money

It’s fairly easy to see how conscientious driving can help preserve lives, but sometimes busy schedules may lead drivers to develop unsafe habits and abandon good practices. In 2009, speeding was a factor in 31% of all fatal crashes — more than 10,500 lives were lost — a sober reminder of the potential for peril.¹

Although speeding is one of the most common causes of auto accidents, it’s not the only unsafe practice that can lead to problems. Underinflated tires, for example, may be responsible for as many as 660 deaths and 33,000 injuries each year.²

For the most part, these are avoidable risks. Obviously, driving at legal speeds that are appropriate for roadway conditions is extremely important, but it’s also a good idea to verify that a vehicle’s tires are well maintained and able to endure the tests of the pavement. Fortunately, there are some relatively simple ways that drivers can improve the odds of safe car travel — and possibly save some money along the way.

Paying the Price for Speed

Even when the consequences of carelessness do not include loss of life or serious injury, the costs may still be high. The bill for speed-related crashes totals more than $40 billion annually for American drivers.³

Drivers who have been cited for speeding know that a ticket may result in hundreds of dollars in fines, but they are also likely to face higher auto insurance premiums. One study found that drivers with a single moving violation on their records suffered an average rate increase of 18% compared with drivers who had no violations. Drivers with two violations on their records paid 34% more, and those with three violations paid 53% more for insurance than drivers with no tickets.⁴

Tips to Help Avoid Tire Trouble

It takes only a couple of minutes to keep up with tire maintenance, but it could save you both time and money. Keeping tires inflated correctly could improve fuel economy by 3.3%, in addition to helping your tires last longer.⁵

Check cold tire pressure monthly, and especially before and after long trips. You should be able to find the tire pressure recommended by the automaker in your owner’s manual. Do not confuse this recommendation with the maximum pressure that is typically indicated on the tire itself.
Watch for signs of wear. Keep the deepest treads in the rear and replace tires before the tread falls below the minimum 2/32-inch depth. To measure, stick a penny in one of the grooves. If any part of Lincoln’s head is hidden, you may still have enough tread. If Lincoln's head is entirely visible or “wear bars” have appeared on the rubber, it’s probably time to go shopping for new tires.
Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Front wheels may wear up to twice as fast as those in the rear, and one side may wear faster than the other. Regular rotation allows for more uniform wear and longer tire life.
Make sure wheels are properly aligned. Misaligned wheels can create steering and tracking problems and cause tires to wear out prematurely.

Despite the possible benefits, only 20% of drivers bother to check their auto tire pressure every month.⁶ If you want to keep your car on the road and possibly save a little money, it may be worth the effort to form better safety habits.

1, 3) Insurance Information Institute, 2011
2) USA Today, June 8, 2011
4) Los Angeles Times, May 23, 2011
5, 6) AutoWeek, June 8, 2011

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2011 Emerald Connect, Inc.