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.
