Did you know that in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts speeding points are automatically linked to your automobile insurance premium? In essence, your insurance rate will increase if you are found guilty of a speeding violation. These points typically remain on your driving record for six (6) years, which means that you will be paying a higher automobile insurance rate for those six (6) years. The increase can be significant based on the particular violation and the resulting amount of the speeding ticket. That being stated, it is important to do whatever you can to reduce your chances of receiving a speeding violation. The following three tips will help avoid speeding tickets, and the insurance surcharges that go along with them.
Tip #1- Drive The Speed Limit- Although this may sound a bit obvious, driving the speed limit is the best way to ensure that you will not receive a speeding ticket while driving on local roads, and highways. If you do not speed, you will never need to worry about receiving a ticket from a police officer. In addition, you will significantly reduce the chances of being involved in an automobile accident, particularly a fatal one. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is a contributing factor in over 30% of all fatal automobile accidents each year. Typically speaking, approximately 10,000 plus human lives are lost due to accidents caused by speeding on a yearly basis.
Tip #2- Plan Accordingly- One of the main reasons that drivers speed is because they are in a rush. Our society happens to place a high value on efficiency, and as a results far too many of us have become programmed to do everything as fast as possible. That typically leads to driving over the speed limit when operating an automobile. However, most drivers fail to realize that speeding does not get you anywhere significantly faster than driving at or even slightly below the speed limit. For example, if you are driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, you will only gain two (2) minutes when traveling for 15 miles when the listed speed limit is 55 miles per hour. It is certainly not worth saving a measly two (2) minutes to take the risk of receiving a speeding ticket, let along getting into an accident.
If you happen to be the procrastinating type or run late a lot, speeding will not help you to get from point A to point B much faster. The best thing you can do is plan ahead so you will know exactly how long it will take to arrive at your destination. That way you will feel far less inclined to blow past traffic when you hit the road.
Tip #3- Select The Right Type And Color Automobile- Believe it or not, the type and color of your car, truck, or SUV can make a big difference when it comes to receiving speeding tickets or not. For example, white, gray, silver, and red automobiles are pulled over far more often than any other colored vehicles. The model of your automobile can also affect your chances of receiving a speeding ticket. According to a recent study, three specific models were 300% to 400% more likely to receive a speeding tickets when compared to other automobile models. They are the Mercedes-Benz SL, the Toyota Camry Solara, and the Scion T. If you drive one of these models it may be time to purchase or lease something else, particularly if the automobile is white, gray, silver, or red.
In conclusion, there are things that you can do in order to avoid speeding tickets and those nasty auto insurance surcharges that along with them. If you have any questions, please call (508) 831-0133 to contact an associate at Zawada Insurance. We are happy to walk you through the details of your automobile policy and explain your coverage options. We look forward to helping you with all of your personal and or business related insurance needs.