Why you should avoid hard braking

Hard braking can impact more than just your speed – it can cause damage to your vehicle and lead to wear and tear down the line, not to mention hurt our environment!

By avoiding hard braking you can reduce vehicle wear and tear, help the planet, and help make the roads safer for everyone.

What to do

• Stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you. This should leave enough time to brake safely and slowly, if you need to.
• Avoid distracted driving and tailgating – these may mean you need to quickly slam the brakes, which can lead to an accident.
• Pay attention to the road ahead. By staying alert and aware of your surroundings, you can better anticipate any changes in traffic flow.

How you could save money

Every time a driver slams on the brakes, it causes significant wear and tear on their car’s:

• brake pads
• suspension, and
• tyres.

Over time, this can lead to expensive but avoidable repairs, reduce the lifespan of these parts, and impact the vehicle’s performance. By avoiding hard braking, you can reduce the effect of this wear and tear and save yourself money on vehicle maintenance in the long run.

How you could help the environment

Did you know that by avoiding hard braking, you’re contributing to a cleaner environment?

Hard braking can waste fuel because it can often cause a sudden and complete stop. Your engine then has to work harder to get back up to speed, which increases your fuel consumption and reduces your fuel efficiency – impacting both the environment and your wallet.

Hard braking can also release particulate matter – a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles – as the tyres and brakes wear away. These contain heavy metals and toxic compounds, which are harmful to the globe and to us. Studies show these non-exhaust emissions can account for up to 90% of particulate matter emissions in road transport.

How you could make our roads safer

Hard braking can lead to accidents and collisions. When a driver brakes hard, momentum pushes the weight of the vehicle to the front wheels, which can reduce control and make it more difficult to steer.

By driving smoothly and maintaining a safe following distance, you’ll be contributing to safer roads – and that’s something we can all be proud of.

How AAMI Driver Rewards can help

AAMI Driver Rewards can help you track your driving habits. All you need to do is:

• log in to the AAMI App
• tap on ‘Driver’ and opt in to see your rating and any categories where you might be able to improve, and
• keep an eye out for any special offers that may pop up in the future!

Download the AAMI App

Read more:

• Why you should avoid hard cornering when on the road
• How to avoid driver fatigue
• Drive less, pay less? It may be possible!

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available.