Dangerous Driving Habits

by Ronel Forbes

April 20, 2022

It’s easy to recognize those who have unsafe driving behaviors while you’re out on the roads. These individuals, whether as a consequence of a lack of education about safe driving procedures or as a result of poor driving behaviors, pose a risk to themselves, other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

There are a variety of reasons why someone may be a bad driver. In other circumstances, such as with some newer drivers, a lack of experience may be to blame. People who have been driving for a long period are more likely to have bad driving skills.

Poor driving habits in someone who has had their license for a while could be the result of being overconfident in their abilities. They may have been driving their car for several years or follow a set route to and from work every day.

They would be foolish to believe that they can ever cease paying attention to what is going on around them while driving, because anything can happen in a matter of seconds. We all have poor habits when it comes to driving, but some of us have more than others.

The Worst Driving Habits are listed below. How many of them do you think you’re guilty of?

Speeding

Excessive speeding is a very common occurrence. When driving through a residential neighborhood or a school zone, this activity is very dangerous.

Posted speed restrictions are not suggestions; if you disobey them, you risk getting stopped and ticketed by the authorities.

Driving and Eating

It’s tempting to try to multitask and eat a snack (or a full meal) while driving, but it’s not a good idea. When you’re behind the wheel, you should be completely focused on what’s going on around you on the road.

Trying to eat and drive at the same time is a challenging, if not impossible, effort.

Applying Makeup While Behind the Wheel

When strapped for time, several women continue their morning routines while driving to work. Several people have been seen applying cosmetics while driving when their concentration should have been on the road.

Not Checking Blind Spots

Blind spots are inherently risky, but failing to inspect them is even riskier. Drivers who don’t look have a tendency to drift into other lanes, nearly colliding with other vehicles; this can result in worry and distraction at the very least, and a major car accident at the very worst. When changing lanes, make sure not only to check the proper mirror, but also to look over your shoulder to ensure the coast is clear.

Improper Merging

How many times have you found yourself stuck behind someone who doesn’t know how to merge on a motorway onramp? They let car after automobile pass them, thinking they’re being courteous but, in reality, they’re impeding traffic flow.

Similarly, there are motorists who do not understand the concept of patience. They appear to believe that speeding to the front of a line of automobiles merging onto the freeway is appropriate behavior when they are aware that the lane combines. This is also incorrect and should not be implemented!

Using Turn Signals Incorrectly

When a driver correctly uses the turn signals on their car, it alerts other drivers on the road to their intention to change lanes or make a turn. Failure to do so may result in an accident, as well as circumstances where a motorist has experienced the effects of road rage.

Even if you are guilty of one of these harmful driving practices, you may improve your driving habits by making modifications to your driving routine. The first stage is to be conscious of what you’re doing when you’re driving.

When driving, make it a point to concentrate solely on the road; if you need to eat, do makeup, or make a phone call, pull over first. To assist you improve your driving skills, you might choose to enroll in a defensive driving school.

Driving While Using Your Cellphone

This is the big one, and regrettably, it’s become all too frequent among today’s drivers. While it may be permitted in some places under certain circumstances to talk on your cell phone, it is still a dangerous habit to have.

When that ringtone goes out while you’re driving, it’s tempting to answer, but it’s preferable to resist the desire. Talking on your phone while driving is distracting, and distracted driving is harmful, putting you and others in danger.

Let’s not even talk about texting while driving! That has to be the worst of all the no-nos.

This is because new reports, like this one from Kansas, have lately surfaced that reinforce the anti-cell phone message for drivers. Consider taking a defensive driving course if you have developed a bad habit of using your phone while driving or simply want to understand more about how it affects your driving.

Tailgating

Tailgating is aggravating for both parties. The driver in front of him is irritated because the person behind him won’t keep off his bumper, and the driver behind him is irritated because he can’t go any faster. Why are you creating this tense situation?

After all, tailgating can result in car accidents as well as deliberate vengeful behavior such as brake checks. If passing the automobile ahead of you in another lane is safe, do so; if it is not, preserve a safe distance. Keep in mind the two-second rule!

Getting about on fumes

The gasoline works as a coolant in older electric fuel pumps. There is less fluid to help cool the engine when you drive with little fuel in your car.

Even when the gasoline level is low, the fuel pump is encased inside a tube and surrounded by fuel at all times in today’s vehicles. Check out what to do if you fill up your automobile with the wrong fuel.

Parking in a prohibited area

When you’re in a hurry, it’s tempting to park in prohibited places, but your decision could put others at risk and result in a large charge for you. Outside of authorized parking hours, resist the impulse to park in handicap spaces, red zones, or along curbs.

Also, avoid easing into a parking place until you reach the curb, since this might harm your tires and perhaps cause alignment problems.

Bottomline

Human error is to blame for 90% of all traffic accidents. Good driving practices can save you money and time while also benefiting your safety and the safety of others.

When you’re driving, keep these practices in mind to help everyone on our roads and highways have a better experience.