A clean driving record means practicing safe driving habits and paying driving tickets quickly while keeping an eye on your license points. Defensive driving helps keep highways and streets safer by being more aware of your surroundings, staying alert, and watching out for other drivers.
You can keep a clean driving record and help lower your insurance rates by driving defensively. If you're a new driver, a driver with a poor driving record, or a driver who wants to reduce auto insurance rates, use these defensive driving tips to clean your driving record.
The Key to Defensive Driving
We could all benefit from driving defensively. If you've ever driven, you know that there are drivers who drive recklessly by speeding, following too closely, or weaving in and out of traffic.
Aggressive drivers are dangerous and could cause a fatal traffic accident. By driving defensively, you are cautious and ready to act in case of an accident or reckless driver. Defensive driving can get you out of a ticket, reduce your license points, lower your auto insurance rates, and save your life.
Safety First!
When you're in the driver's seat, your job is to safely take you and your passengers to your destination. Always follow the speed limit, lock your doors, wear your seatbelt, and follow the road rules. Avoiding aggressive and dangerous driving habits will help you deal with other people's reckless habits.
Cut Out Distractions
A distraction is an activity that takes away the attention from your driving. Driving requires your full attention, whether on the highway or down the street. Something as simple as drinking water or coffee can be a distraction.
Don’t Depend on Other Drivers
Look out for yourself and be considerate of the drivers around you. Don't assume that another driver will let you pass or merge. You're not in the car with them; they are unpredictable. Instead, you should be prepared for a driver to run a red light, not use their blinker, or speed in and out of traffic.
Following the 3 to 4-Second Rule
A collision could happen directly in front of you, so you should keep a safe distance between you and other drivers by using the three to four-second rule. Following this safe driving practice will help you maintain a safe distance and provide enough time to brake to a stop. However, this rule only works in normal traffic flow under pleasant weather conditions. You should add an extra two seconds in inclement weather conditions to ensure a safe distance between you and the car in front.
What Is a Driving Record?
Your driving record is a document that tracks your driving behavior. Your local DMV office keeps this document; employees and insurance companies may access this information. Depending on your state and the incident, things can stay on your record for three to ten years.
A speeding ticket will stay on your record for three years in California, and a DUI stays on your record for ten years after the arrest.
Your driving record includes the following information:
- Personal information
- Your license classification, number, status, and expiration date
- Traffic schools and defensive driving courses
- Moving violations and DWI/DUIs
- Tickets, fines, and fees
- Accumulated points
- Accidents
- Suspensions
If you haven't accumulated points, convictions, tickets, claims, or accidents, you're considered a safe driver with a squeaky-clean driving record. Having a clean driving record is the result of practicing defensive driving habits.
Why Do Clean Driving Records Matter?
If you're a new driver, your parents or friends probably urged you to keep a clean driving record to avoid tickets or license violations. However, a clean driving record has more benefits by giving you lower insurance rate options and letting future employers know you can safely drive a company vehicle.
Insurance companies will charge you higher fees for coverage if you are a high-risk driver with a long record of accidents, tickets, and traffic violations.
Keeping a Clean Driving Record
Practicing safe driving habits is the best tip to keep your driving record clean. However, there are other ways to clean up your record and create a clean slate for the future. Below are four ways to clean up your driving record to lower insurance rates and eliminate points on your license.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Taking a course to become a safer driver is a wonderful way to keep your driving record clean. Suppose you received a ticket. You can ask the judge in court if you can take a driver safety course. After enrolling in an approved course, you could reap the benefits of qualifying for lower car insurance rates and reducing points on your record.
Check Your Driving Record
You can access your driving record by contacting your local DMV office or insurance company. You need your license number to pull your driving record to see what insurance companies and companies see when pulling your documents.
Pay All Tickets ASAP
Pay all your tickets, including easily resolvable tickets, like insurance violations, registration violations, and license violation fees, to remove them from your record. Allowing expenses and tickets to pile up could lead to license suspension, lawsuits, and skyrocketing insurance fees.
Keep Track of Points on Your Record
Points keep track of all your traffic violations, such as speeding tickets, hit and run offenses, and reckless driving. It's essential to keep track of your points because you can face severe consequences after accumulating a specific number. If you collect four points in a year in California, you can get your license suspended.
Driving in the Los Angeles area can be intimidating and dangerous with the number of reckless drivers. That is why we encourage our customers to drive defensively on the road. Saferoad Insurance Services wants our drivers to be safe and practice the best driving habits to keep those insurance rates affordable.
We want you to be covered just in case of an incident or accident by offering cheap insurance in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Contact us today to inquire about our insurance coverages and rates.
