According to a Straits Times article published in May last year, road rage attacks happen once in every 4 days in Singapore1.
There are many reasons to practice good driving habits though. You can potentially save money from your "No Claims Discount" (NCD) – a discount that is awarded annually on your insurance premium by your insurance company if you have not made any claim on your existing car insurance policy.
More importantly, being a gracious driver means reducing your risk of getting into an accident and endangering yours and other road users' lives.
Here are some good driving habits:
1. Keep calm and drive on
Lots of accidents tend to happen when people are in a rush. Practice planning your journey in advance so you can leave early to avoid rushing. Also, don't lose your cool on the road. Angry drivers are dangerous drivers. Refrain from rude gestures and foul language behind the wheel. Also, try to avoid direct confrontation.
2. Honk only when necessary
No one likes to be honked at for no reason. Use it only when you need to warn others of danger and not just because the driver in front of you is moving too slow for your liking.
3. Signal early
Signalling late or not at all is dangerous. Be considerate when switching lanes or making a turn. It is important to alert other road users of your intention early so that traffic accidents can be avoided. Just as important, remember to turn off your signal when you're done to avoid confusion.
4. Avoid tailgating
It's important to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of you. This is so that you have a buffer for your reaction time should you need to brake suddenly. Tailgating is dangerous not just for you but for other drivers on the road. You definitely don't want to be starting a chain-reaction crash or a pile-up on the highway!
5. A little respect goes a long way
Raise your hand to apologise when you make a mistake on the roads. Similarly, if the other party apologises, show your acceptance by acknowledging his gesture. By being a gracious driver, you'll set the tone to encourage others to do the same!
