Merits of safe driving

Home > Opinion > Editorials

print dictionary print

Merits of safe driving

 I recently learned that I can get a discount in my car insurance rate depending on my good driving score on a navigation app of a wireless carrier I use. The call center staff of an insurance company told me that I could get a maximum 11 percent discount if my driving habits score more than 61 in the app, when I consulted about insurance a month ago after I purchased a new car.

Since I frequented that app, I immediately checked my score. It was 40. It sounded like a good deal since I was getting a premium due to several accidents on my fault. The call center consultant also said that I could lift my score if I keep to the speed limit on highways.

I thought it would be a breeze since it would take some time to get used to the new car anyway. But it turned out to be harder than I thought. For instance, my score would go down if I pass the speed limit of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) per hour when driving on the ramp to cross a Han River bridge. If I go that slow, I would be honked at by cars behind.

Still, I tried to keep to the speed limit to save some insurance fees. My score gradually went up. But 10 days later, I suddenly lost 10 points for no clear reasons. I was furious, but it would have looked childish to whine about it to the customer service.

Although it was frustrating at the beginning, I got used to the new way of driving. Since the new car had a semi-autonomous function, I set my speed limit and stuck to a certain lane. I found that I did not lose much time and I also enjoyed listening to music while driving.

I have long been used to driving fast. To be honest, I bumped into a car in front of me while talking on the phone. Driving safely like a first-time driver was not so bad after all. I did not get so frustrated while driving. I let other cars squeeze in and stop my car at the yellow light to enjoy the extra time listening to music.

When the self-driving day arrives, car accidents will inevitably become fewer. Experts point to human error and negligence as the biggest cause of accidents. I am not sure if I will live to see the day when all cars become autonomous. But I think I will keep to safe driving. My driving score, by the way, for this month was 99.
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)