3 safe driving tips to protect you and your loved ones

With more people returning to their workplaces as Singapore entered Phase 3 of its re-opening, one thing has also become apparent – our roads have become more crowded too.

As such, safe and respectful driving has become increasingly important as well, not just for your safety but that of your passengers too.

While Singapore’s road traffic situation may have improved over the last year*, there’s still room for improvement when it comes to accidents that could (and should) have been avoided with better driving behaviour.

Here, we share three tips to help reduce your likelihood of getting into a road accident, so that you can return home safely to your family every day.

1. Manage your time and emotions

Running late for an important appointment or rushing to beat the peak hour jam? Situations like these may make it tempting to speed, even if it’s “just a little”.

You could even have done so unknowingly after a difficult or tiring day, or simply because you weren’t paying attention to the speedometer.

While it’s impossible to control what happens in your day, giving yourself ample travel time to get to your destination can help you avoid the need to speed and also get you to where you need to go on time.

If you’re having a bad day, try putting on your favourite playlist to calm yourself down. This will calm you down before you get behind the wheel, thereby keeping you safe and alert.

You can even create a special feel-good playlist for driving, which could come in helpful when you’re feeling the beginning stages of road rage too.

In short, if you can’t control the traffic or actions of other drivers, try managing your own time and emotions instead.

2. Understand the consequences of unsafe driving

Another helpful tip to encourage safe driving is to remind yourself of the consequences if you choose otherwise.

This may sound rather grim, but unsafe driving habits – such as speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and failing to keep a lookout – can have detrimental consequences on yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.

When it comes to speeding, you could face severe penalties depending on how fast you go (we’re talking up to 24 demerit points and prosecution in court!). But more importantly, speeding also puts the lives of both the driver and the passengers at risk.

In fact, the increase in speeding-related accidents alone last year* serves as a reminder of why speeding is an absolute no-no. That includes not speeding up when you see the amber light too.

And with the leading causes of accidents in Singapore being attributed to the failure to keep a proper lookout or have proper control¹, reminding yourself of the consequences of ‘in-the-moment’ actions like these can encourage you to practice more mindful driving.

The same goes for using your mobile phone! Not only is it illegal to use your mobile device while holding it in a moving vehicle, doing so can reduce your concentration and increase your chances of an accident. So, bear this in mind the next time you’re tempted to check that incoming notification.

3. Keep your vehicle well-maintained

Upkeeping your vehicle can sometimes feel like a chore, but the merits of a well-maintained vehicle are plenty – from preventing a breakdown to reducing the risk of an unwanted accident.

Ideally, you’d want to service your car every 6 months or at every 10,000km mileage interval so that your car is in tip-top condition for the road.

With well-maintained tires, brakes and lights, you’ll have better control on the road and also be able to anticipate and react to incoming hazards, especially when driving at night or in rainy weather.

That said, you should also keep an active look out for any warning signs that may signal faults or problems with your vehicle, such as unusual noises, excessive vibrations, or difficulties in starting or stopping your car. This is especially important if your car is relatively older.

In such scenarios, you should get your car serviced immediately rather than waiting for the next maintenance cycle so that your car is in tip-top condition for a safe ride.

Drive safe and protect those you love

By bearing in mind the tips above, you can minimise the risk of an accident and protect your loved ones accompanying you. But that’s not all there is to it.

Having a comprehensive car insurance that covers both your car and the people in it is an additional but beneficial step to help you stay well-prepared for the unexpected.

FWD Car insurance gives you the added option to protect yourself and your family financially in the event of an accident with our Family Personal Accident plan.

From an affordable premium of S$50, you can receive up to S$100 per day for up to 90 days, if you or your family members are hospitalised due to an accident. You can also receive up to S$50,000 upon a successful claim, in the event of death or total & permanent disability due to an accident. Plus, your family can enjoy this coverage without you having to name them in your policy.

And when your NCD is at 50%, our Car insurance gives you the added motivation to drive safely by rewarding you with a lifetime 50% NCD at no extra cost, as long as you stay insured with us – did we mention that we’re the only insurer to offer this too?

So, start protecting yourself and your loved ones with these safe driving tips, while knowing we’ve got your back! After all, we are Singapore’s #1 auto insurer for customer experience² for a reason 😉

Get FWD Car insurance and Family Personal Accident plan online easily here.

Want to know more? Read our other articles below.

• How having the right insurance cover can help you save on car expenses
• How does your NCD work?