A state can require individuals to file an SR-22 if they don’t follow the rules of the road. Various types of violations can force them into SR-22 filings, including driving without insurance, reckless driving, and drunk driving.
When you have an SR-22 policy, you need to carry it for a certain number of years. There’s a catch, though. If you incur driving infractions while your SR-22 is in place, the penalty period may restart. Your goal, therefore, should be to avoid committing further violations by becoming a better driver.
Here are a few suggestions you can follow to help you achieve this goal:
Car owners who are negligent in inspecting and maintaining their vehicles are usually high-risk drivers. After all, there’s always the likelihood that an undiagnosed issue could cause a problem while driving. So, check your car before hitting the road and keep up with maintenance.
While you have an SR-22 in place, focus on improving your driving habits. An effective way would be to follow the road rules, such as continually keeping an eye out for pedestrians, obeying traffic signals, and staying with the speed limit.
Another way to improve your driving is to hone your technical skills. Enrolling in defensive driving lessons, for instance, helps enhance your abilities on the road. On top of that, it helps instill safe driving habits by raising your awareness of safe driving practices and common road hazards.
Taking a driving course may also save you on coverage. Car insurance firms sometimes provide drivers with discounts if they pass a defensive driving class.
The last thing you want to happen is a police officer catching you using your mobile phone while on the road. Instead of multitasking, place your smartphone on silent mode and put it inside the glove compartment.
Following the SR-22 legal requirements to the letter is important, as you may face harsher penalties when you commit a new driving offense. A couple of rules you need to follow are:
When it comes to affordable SR-22 insurance in Chicago, trust Oxford Auto Insurance. We specialize in providing SR-22 coverage at fantastic rates. With more than seven decades of experience, you can rely on us to help you get the best coverage.
Get in touch with us today to speak with one of our licensed insurance agents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that for one person killed in a vehicle crash, eight others were hospitalized, and 99 people went to the ER to be treated and released in 2017.
Recent traffic accident data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted a small decrease in American roadside deaths in 2017 (37,133) compared with 2016 (37,461). This number has been steadily increasing since 2013 before its recent drop. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao recognized this downward trend, but also expressed that there’s still work to be done to decrease roadside deaths significantly. Here’s what we can learn from recent accident data.
Winter isn’t over yet. If you’re planning to brave the icy roads, make sure to replace worn tires, check your battery for damage, and get enough antifreeze circulating under the hood. The recent polar vortex blanketed Illinois states like Chicago and Harvey in the snow. This caused drivers to deal with slippery roads and poor visibility.
According to 2007 – 2016 averages by the U.S. DOT, more than 5,891,000 crashes happened per year. It’s a scary statistic for every driver, but auto insurance often has comprehensive coverage that addresses natural disasters and collisions.
One of the interesting contrasts we found was between teenaged and elderly drivers. According to the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety’s 2014-2015 American Driving Survey, drivers aged 16-17 crashed their vehicles more than any of the other age groups. When it comes to fatal crashes, however, the same group is tied with drivers aged 80 and above. Both groups ranked higher than others in that category, as well.
NHTSA data also says that drivers over 65 are more prone to fatal crashes than younger drivers. The next time you’re letting your teenager or your elderly parents drive, it’s best to go with them to provide guidance. Better yet, take the wheel yourself.
There are times when we take our seat belts for granted. And some of us just use them for the sake of compliance. However, this minor inconvenience actually saves lives. Almost half of the people killed in automobile accidents in 2017 weren’t wearing seatbelts. Over 89% who survived daytime crashes and 85% who survived night time ones were buckled up.
NHTSA’s seatbelt survey also found an increasing trend in the use of seat belts because a growing number of states are implementing stricter laws about it. This upward trend in seat belt use is also accompanied by a downward slope in daytime crash fatalities. It just goes to show that when it comes to driving, there’s no such thing as “too safe.”
If there’s anything that recent road safety data has taught us, it’s that safe roads are often safe because of responsible drivers. We should all do our part and keep our vehicles maintained, guide the youth and elderly when they’re driving, and follow state traffic laws by heart.
Vehicle accidents are a pain both physically and financially. Even the smallest dents cost a fortune. We at Oxford Auto Insurance can help you get affordable auto insurance that meets your needs. Our partner companies can also provide instant proof of insurance. Visit www.oxfordauto.com now to find the right car insurance for you.
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