For car safety, the first step is to have good Edmonton auto insurance. Of course, insurance is mandated by law for all drivers, but it’s also the responsible and smart way to protect your family and other drivers from the financial repercussions of a car accident you’re involved in. However, having insurance alone is not enough. In addition to driving safely, it’s also important to have modern safety features installed in your car. This will greatly reduce your risk of injury or serious damage in an accident, and it could also help you get a lower Edmonton auto insurance rate. If you’re curious about how this works, you might want to see a licensed professional for a consultation about your Edmonton auto insurance.
Here are a few ways in which you can improve your car’s safety.
1. Airbags: Most newer cars have front-side airbags, but it’s also a good idea to have airbags to protect the vulnerable sides of the vehicle. Side-impact collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents, but they can become much less dangerous with sets of airbags to protect the shoulders and the head in the event of a collision.
2. Strong safety ratings: Whenever you’re shopping for a new car, you can get accurate data on vehicle safety ratings by going to the Transport Canada website or that of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Meanwhile, you can also ask your Edmonton auto insurance company if they have any recommendations for specific vehicles. You might be able to get a discount by following their recommendations.
3. Frequent check-ups: Most of us are already aware of the importance of having auto tune-ups every 5,000 to 10,000 miles or so. But while you’re getting your tires rotated and oil changed, it’s also a good idea to ask a trusted mechanic to do a quick check of the other systems in the vehicle.
4. Antilock brakes: When you have an antilock braking system (ABS), it helps prevent your wheels from locking up when you break suddenly or slide on slippery surfaces. However, if you own a vehicle with ABS, it’s important to have a good understanding of how it works, so that you’ll know what to do when the ABS system kicks in.
5. Hands-free phones: Neither Alberta nor Edmonton has yet taken steps to ban driving while talking on a cell phone. But if the broader trends are any indication, it could happen soon. In any case, it can definitely be dangerous to drive while using a cell phone. If your fast-paced lifestyle simply demands that you do so from time to time, consider using a hands-free device so that you can keep both hands safely on your steering wheel.
6. Classes: For adults, it’s not uncommon for the specifics of driver’s safety to fade into the backs of our minds. That’s why it can’t hurt to take refresher classes from time to time. The best safety practices will come back to you, and you may even learn some new tips. Also, taking classes may earn you a lower rate on your Edmonton auto insurance.
