If you’ve been deemed a high risk driver, you already know what this has done for your auto insurance rates. Being in the high risk category means higher rates, period. This can be motivation enough to clean up your driving act. And if you’ve been lucky enough to steer clear of any penalties, it’s time to nix your aggressive driving habits in the bud before your luck runs out. By driving aggressively on the road, you are increasing the chance that you’re going to get in an accident or get a ticket.

Age matters

Young drivers are considered higher risk simply based on their age. They have less driving experience and thus are not considered as safe on the road. There are certain traits and realities of being a younger person that also don’t bode well for the high risk driver label. For example, many teenagers will speed because they think it is cool or to otherwise impress their friends.

That’s just how I am

Some people just have more aggressive personalities and are quick to anger. Their hot headed behavior on the road is just an extension of how they live their lives in general. If this is you, you will have to come up with strategies that will help you to keep it cool out there. Remind yourself of the serious repercussions of your actions. Try to find ways to make driving a more calm experience for you. Try to empathize with other drivers on the road.

Tips to ditch aggressive driving behaviours

~ Don’t engage with the behaviours of other drivers. If someone is riding your tail or if you get cut off, that’s definitely an annoying driving scenario. Leave it at that. Don’t engage in the behavior by responding in kind. And don’t feel pressured to increase your speed. You can always pull over to let them pass.

~ Get time on your side. Being in a rush to get somewhere can result in speeding, running lights, cutting people off and otherwise engaging in dangerous road maneuvers. While running late happens to the best of us and all kinds of unforeseen circumstances can pop up to delay you, do what you can to leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go. If you’re chronically late, employ strategies to deal with that. Perhaps this article will give you some ideas 😉

~ Accept that you’re late. Sometimes that’s just the way it is. It’s not worth getting in an accident or worse to get somewhere on time. Pull over and make a phone call if you need to. But otherwise, do your best to go with the flow.

~ Try to stay on top of traffic. If bumper to bumper roadways drive you crazy and often result in risky driving behaviours for you, keep tabs on what’s happening out there with traffic radio or websites. Consider some alternate routes and have a plan B. Do what you can to avoid peak driving times.

~ Be sympathetic to other drivers. Yes, we’re not all perfect drivers but that doesn’t mean that someone else’s actions should result in you engaging in high risk behaviours. If you tend to fly off the handle when you see someone driving poorly, try to imagine what they might be dealing with. Perhaps there’s a screaming baby in the car. Perhaps the person has never been to this part of town before or is a tourist. This could help to calm you down.

~ Stay polite out there. If you inadvertently commit a faux pas, an acknowledgement such as an “I’m sorry” wave can go a long way to prevent other drivers reacting to you.

Don’t tempt fate. Not only is your aggressive driving making it more likely that you will be put in the high risk category for car insurance premiums, you are putting your own safety and that of others on the road in jeopardy.

Want to learn more about what it means to be a high risk driver? Check out our comprehensive post that covers the most common questions around being a high risk driver in Ontario here. Looking for the cheapest high risk auto insurance rates you can find in Ontario? Get in touch with us today or start your online quote now.

Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net | sephirot17