Eleven Money-Saving Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers

Like all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them “seasoned citizens”) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies. What they may not be aware of is that older drivers may present a higher risk than other drivers, usually leading to higher auto insurance rates.

Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy.

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesn't push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous "road rage" in less patient drivers. You don’t have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet.

3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs.

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night.

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge -- and get a discount on auto insurance in many states -- by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour "55 Alive" course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily.

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare.

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection.

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which companies offer specific ‘Senior Discounts’ While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. You'll get their best rates if you're healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Reprints of this article are allowed (and encouraged) for your site or newsletter with proper credit to the author and a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com.

About the Author:
Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University in 2002. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com.
This article was posted on August 27, 2005
Article Source: articlecity

Driving Safely as You Get Older

Driving a car is a very complex task. You need good perceptual and judgement skills and you must pay constant attention to detail from your car and the world around you. As 90% of the information you need for safe driving comes through your eyes, any drop in vision due to age may compromise your safety. Although vehicle accidents usually have multiple causes, one of the more common causes is YOU, the driver, failing to see something important. Lose visual concentration at the wrong time, even for a second, and you may miss seeing a potential danger that could kill you and your passengers.

Despite nationwide driving fatality numbers decreasing, drivers aged 70 and over are more frequently involved in driving accidents (particularly fatalities) through decreased driving performance. Decreasing vision through ageing and common eye diseases is often a major contributing factor to such cases. With a rapidly ageing population and 19.8 million drivers over 70 already on U.S. roads, declining driver competence is fast becoming an urgent public health problem. One frightening statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that older driver involvement in fatal crashes will increase by 155% by the year 2030.

With increasing age many physical and mental changes will affect your ability to drive safely. Some conditions clearly make driving dangerous. If Dementia or Alzheimer's impairs your thinking or serious Cardiovascular disease makes you pass out from time to time, you need to immediately stop driving for your own and others' safety. Other less obvious problems may be just as dangerous at times. You may be temporarily unfit to drive if your prescription medicine makes you drowsy or if you are diabetic and your blood sugar drops too low. Impaired vision is another less obvious problem for older drivers. You may think you can see well, particularly in familiar driving locations, but as vision can deteriorate gradually over time, you may be totally unaware that your vision is not safe to drive!

Driving authorities impose a number of vision standards for safe driving. They may differ slightly from place to place but there are some common requirements. You need good visual acuity. This is the ability to see far enough ahead of you to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations. You need good peripheral (side) vision. This is the ability to see out to the sides when changing lanes or merging. It helps you to detect pedestrians and other roadside hazards. Night vision is also important. Poor night vision due to problems like cataract can affect may elderly drivers. They may require a conditional driving license that only allows daytime driving.

Although eye disease such as Cataracts, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration are relatively common in seniors, they are not the most frequent vision problem affecting drivers. The most common visual impairment in older drivers is uncorrected refractive error. Many drivers are either unaware they need eyeglasses to drive or they fail to keep their prescriptions up to date because they have not noticed the gradual loss of vision.

It is important to make sure eye diseases are monitored regularly to ensure vision remains adequate to drive. Cataract surgery may restore driving vision when cloudy lenses affect your vision but some eye diseases progress to the point where you need to stop driving altogether. As many older drivers equate their driving license with physical independence, losing this ability can be a terrible event which can force major lifestyle changes.

In this fast paced mobile world, driving is almost a necessity for many people. It can be devastating when age and deteriorating vision limit this ability. Although you can't turn back the clock, regular eye examinations and good communication with your Eyecare practitioner can help you keep driving as long as possible. Check your eyes regularly and make sure your eyes stay safe to drive!

About the Author:
Ian Williamson
For More Driving Articles by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Cars/145
Submitted: 2006-04-17
Article Source: GoArticles

Fatigue at the Wheel: Root of Serious Traffic Accidents

Last year in Germany, the police authorities reported a total of 3034 accidents triggered by fatigue, including 1786 collisions resulting in personal injury. This equates to about 0.5 percent of all serious accidents. Nonetheless, safety experts believe that the figure is much higher. This is because at the present time it is difficult to verify signs of fatigue by the time accidents are reconstructed.

Scientific studies revealed that between 10 and 20 percent of traffic accidents is caused by drowsiness. According to investigations conducted by insurance companies in said territory, 1 out of 4 fatal motorway accidents are caused by fatigue. Further, the probability of being killed in a road accident due to fatigue is 2.5 times higher than for other causes.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the United States, over 100,000 accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Out of which, 1500 people are killed and 71,000 are injured.

In Canada, a study about fatigue at the wheel established that 1 out of 5 has at some time nodded off while driving. Finding also showed that two thirds of fatigue-induced accidents occur during nighttime. Majority of incidents occur in the early hours of the morning between 2 and 6. They can also occur in the middle of the afternoon.

Moreover, safety experts employed by automakers are concentrating on improving safety features of their lineup. According to automotive reports one of the major causes of serious traffic accidents is – over-fatigue. Moreover, safety experts are trying to develop a system that recognizes fatigue to warn the driver. This system will be integrated to automobiles to be accessible to drivers.

Engineers from the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre also conducted several studies and testing regarding this potent auto system. Said engineers have tested more than 200 motorists on motorways and in the driving simulator. This system is expected to be released in a few years' time.

In order to obtain objective indicators of fatigue, Mercedes safety experts employed electroencephalogram (EEG) and other physiological readings. Another method used is the analysis of dynamic driving data.

Mercedes assistance systems will be mated to Mercedes-Benz car parts to avoid real-life accident scenarios. Today, Mercedes safety systems like Electronic Stability Program and Brake Assist, have contributed significantly to the reduction of serious road accident.

According to studies, many motorists are actually able to recognize when they are tired, but by then it is often too late. Moreover, safety experts recommend that drivers should take a break when they are tired to avoid road accidents.

About the Author:
Stacey Wilson
As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website, Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis is a genuine car lover.
Added: 27 Nov 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/44043.html