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Improving Your DriveMyWay Score

Get tips on how to improve your DriveMyWay score.
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How can I improve my score?

Need tips for improving your driving score? Start by focusing on areas of improvement. Go to the Your Trends section of your app for help in determining which driving behaviors you may want to focus on to increase your score. If there are other drivers in your household, you can ask them to do the same.

Here are a few tips to help.
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Minimize Phone Use

  • Use hands-free features. Using Bluetooth technology or connecting your phone with your vehicle’s built-in functions can let you use voice commands so you can keep your eyes on the road.
  • Mount your phone at eye level. If you need to use your phone’s GPS for navigation, consider purchasing a phone mount that can hold your phone near your normal line of sight while driving. That way, you can keep both hands on the wheel.
  • Keep your phone out of reach. If you don’t need to use your phone for navigation or if you can communicate using hands-free features, consider keeping your phone somewhere in your car where you can’t reach it while driving.
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Reduce Hard Braking

  • Follow the 3-second rule. Watch the car in front of you. When it passes a landmark like a road sign, count how long it takes for you to pass that landmark. Leaving a three-second gap is best when driving conditions and visibility are good. Leave more room when conditions are poor.
  • Take a deep breath and relax. Self-care and relaxation techniques can help you remain calm and potentially avoid dangerous driving behaviors like road rage and hard braking.
  • Give yourself more time and slow down. Dangerous driving behaviors like speeding or hard braking may be more likely to occur when you’re running late. Try to leave early enough so you’re not stressed getting to your destination on time.
  • Reduce distractions. Remember, distracted driving is dangerous driving. Keep yourself and others safe by resisting the urge to text or use your phone while driving.
  • Drive defensively. Stay alert and watch what other drivers are doing so you can react to dangerous situations earlier and avoid slamming on the brakes.
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Reduce Speeding

  • Use cruise control. Setting a consistent speed using cruise control can help you stop speeding, but it’s best to use this feature when the speed limit will be the same for a long stretch of road. It’s also important to continue paying attention to the road so you can react quickly if you need to slow down.
  • Look at your speedometer. Your car’s speedometer tells you how fast you’re going, so check it often and slow down when you’re going over the speed limit. Over time, your speedometer can become less accurate and move out of alignment. If you notice you’re passing cars but going the speed limit, consider visiting your auto repair shop to have your speedometer’s accuracy checked.
  • Practice leaving early. If you’re running late, chances are you may speed to get where you need to be on time. Using your phone’s alarm feature, practice giving yourself enough time to get ready and out the door on time, which may help decrease the pressure to speed.
  • Try to reduce stress. Like hard braking, speeding can be caused by stress or anxiety. Take a deep breath, practice relaxation techniques and remain calm while driving.
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More Tips

  • Enroll all drivers on your policy in DriveMyWay. When every driver on your policy participates in the program and practices safe driving behaviors, you can get the best savings on your rate.
  • Consider changing how much or when you drive. Accident risk increases the more you are on the road, and if you drive between 6 PM - 4 AM. Consider avoiding late-night driving or try carpooling, public transportation or biking to help reduce how much you drive.