Rewards For Safe Driving – How You Can Benefit

Safe driving saves lives. This explains why car manufacturers like Honda and Toyota invest millions every year to introduce ever more advanced car safety technology. But the fact remains that most car accidents are the result of human error.

Singapore, in common with countries including Japan and The United States is leading the way on a mission to reward safe driving and reduce road fatalities, with marked success. Last year saw a decrease in the number of fatal accidents on Singapore’s roads, although there is more to be done.

“The total number of traffic violations registered an increase of 3.6% in 2012, this remains a concern as every traffic violation can potentially result in a fatal or injury accident and the loss of lives.” Singapore Traffic Statistics, 1 Feb 2013
 

According to The United Nations, road accidents are among the three top causes of death for people aged between five and 44. That is why at DirectAsia.com, we agree that it is vitally important to reward safe driving, because the best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident is to drive safely.
 

Rewards for Safe Drivers in Singapore

Singapore Traffic Police (TP) is working on a range of rewards for safe drivers, including petrol vouchers. At present, the TP awards motorists who maintain a clean driving record for 3 continuous years with a Certificate of Merit (COM). Owners of all privately-owned vehicles, including buses and motorcycles, are eligible for the COM.

“In addition, a National Road Safety Award will be introduced later this year to recognise companies and other organisations which have done well in promoting road safety among their staff.” Adrian Lim, ride.asiaone.com
 

And there’s more. If you have a No Claims Discount of 30%,  DirectAsia.com will reward you with a discount on your car insurance policy, over and above your no-claim bonus.
 

Safe Driving Tips – The Top Five

Whether you are relatively new to the roads, or you have been behind the wheel for many years, it's a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are our top tips.

1. Stay Sober  In short, drink driving is a crime. Even at low levels, alcohol reduces reaction time and lowers inhibitions, which can cause drivers to make unwise choices. The mild inconvenience of taking a taxi or sharing a sober friend’s car home, is nothing compared to the disastrous consequences of driving drunk.
 

2. Watch Your Speed  The US Traffic Safety Administration explains the consequences of speeding in stark terms, "speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. In 2008, speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes, and 11,674 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes." The statistics don’t lie in Asia either, speed kills. If you need to get there in record time, there is one safe solution: Leave earlier.
 

3. Stay Focused  Eating, touching up makeup, talking and texting while driving are a big deal. One researcher found that the reaction time of a 20-year-old driver talking on a cell phone was comparable with that of 70-year-old. What's more, using a hand phone while driving can delay you reaction times by 20 percent.
 

4. Don’t Zzzzone Out  If you drift off to sleep while driving, the chances are you will drift over or into something undesirable like the side of the road, a tree or another car. Drowsiness affects your ability to focus and, at high speed this can be fatal. If you feel at all sleepy while driving, take a break or have someone else drive for a while.
 

5. Belt Up Even a low speed accident can fling an unbelted person hard against a seat or through a window screen. Industry experts attribute a large percentage of all fatal accidents to this one fact: the person was not wearing a seatbelt. And, says the NHTSA, proper seatbelts are crucial for young people as “a staggering 70 percent of fatal crash victims between the ages of 13 and 15 weren't wearing seat belts.”

At DirectAsia.com we pride ourselves on being THE insurer for safe drivers in Singapore. As always, we will do everything we can to make life, on or off-road, a little smoother for you.

Find out more about Certificate of Merit (COM) here