Three top road safety tips every woman driver needs to know
Discovery Insure data shows that women continue to be more cautious drivers than men. But is that enough to keep them safe on the road? Here are three tips women should keep in mind.
Road safety is important for everyone, but for women, it can sometimes look a little different. For example, Discovery Insure data reveals that even though women drivers speed 22% less often than men, they use their phones 28% more than men.
However, by staying alert, avoiding nighttime driving, and knowing what to do in an emergency, women can be much safer on the road.
Discovery Insure's top three tips to keep you safer on the road
1. Don't be distracted
The latest Discovery Insure Road Safety White Paper reveals that human factors like driver behaviour play the biggest role in vehicle accident risk.
Our driving data shows that distracted driving incidents have increased for men and women by 2.6-fold when comparing 2021 and 2023 data. The report also reveals that 20 seconds of cellphone use per trip increases accident risk by over 60%. The kicker is that women drivers tend to use their phone almost 30% more often than men.
Keep your phone out of sight and and use Bluetooth or get a hands free kit. Having your phone visible also makes you a target for smash and grabs. Be aware of what's happening around you whether you're stuck in traffic, at a traffic light, on the highway, or pulling into your driveway.
2. Avoid night-time driving
Driving at night is riskier than during the day for multiple reasons, including that it's harder to see and there are more drunk drivers on the road.
Our data show that accidents from 22:00 to 04:00 are nine times more severe than daytime accidents. However, when comparing 2021 and 2023 data, we've seen that the number of accidents happening at night has reduced, which is positive.
It goes without saying that women need to be extra cautious on the roads at night. All Discovery Insure clients have access to safe, discounted take-me-home services with our partners, Uber, Road Trip and Scooter Angels, so they can get to their destination safely.
3. Know what to do in an emergency
Staying calm and getting help fast is critical in an emergency. According to Netcare, getting the right pre hospital medical care within the first 60 minutes of an accident is called the 'golden hour' because it impacts a patient's outcomes.
Discovery Insure uses advanced telematics like the DQ-Track, comprising the Discovery Insure app and the Vitality Drive Sensor. It's easy to install and offers state-of-the-art safety features such as weather warnings, a vehicle panic button and Impact Alert.
Staying safe includes empowering yourself with low-tech knowledge, like knowing how to change a tyre, using jumper cables, and staying on top of vehicle maintenance.
Safety often comes down to simple actions, like keeping your phone out of sight, using a take me home service after dark, and getting your hands a little dirty with car maintenance 101. Yet these three, small actions can make a big difference by empowering you and even protecting others.