As time goes on, it’s easy to feel that you’re an experienced driver, but the truth is you could just be reinforcing bad habits. It’s been estimated that people who are charged with DWI have driven while impaired a good 80 times before getting pulled over. Multiple infractions could force you to carry SR22 insurance. Hefty fines, jail time, and points on your license are also a possibility.
Let’s explore 10 driving habits to avoid therein keeping you, your family, and others you share the road with, safe.
1) Using your phone
In nearly every state in America, it’s illegal to text and drive. Talking on the phone (holding it to your head) while driving is also illegal. While driving, you might see other drivers get away with doing this all of the time. And the truth of it is – it’s easy to do. However, texting and/or talking on a cell phone while operating a vehicle is illegal for good reason – it leads to 1.6 million car crashes every year in the United States.
2) Not using your turn signal
Getting into the habit of not using your turn signal might not seem like a big deal, but it is. Other drivers, as well as pedestrians and cyclists, use that information to determine when to stop and when to move forward for their own safety.
3) Accelerating through a yellow light
Intersections are the most common location for collisions. This is largely due to the heavy traffic and driver impatience. Some lights have longer yellow phases than others, so when the light turns yellow, the safest and most courteous thing to do is to slow down and stop. Don’t try to accelerate through, which could cause a crash with traffic that now has the green.
4) Cutting off other drivers
When you find yourself in a hurry, you want to have a quick and easy car trip from point A to point B. However, a 20-minute drive could turn out to be 30 due to traffic, weather, etc. Weaving in and out of traffic to get ahead and cutting off other drivers is reckless. It could easily create a hazardous situation, with a car hitting you from behind or you hitting the car ahead of you.
5) Tailgating
This practice is frustrating for both parties. The driver in front is irritated because the driver behind them is not leaving any space between them, and the driver behind is frustrated because the lead person won’t go faster. This can lead to brake checking and a collision. If you must go faster, patiently find your way into another lane to go around.
6) Improper merging
It certainly can be one of the most nerve-wracking actions while driving – having to merge onto the highway from an onramp. Those that are timid will allow car after car to go ahead of them until the last moment when they hastily move over. Gradually move up to highway speed to merge seamlessly with the flow of traffic. Also, when you see cars merging from the ramp, move over or lay off the accelerator to let them blend in more easily.
7) Forgetting to check your blind spots
Expecting others to see you and move around you is basically what you’re doing when you fail to check your blind spots. Already inherently dangerous, not checking blind spots can lead to anxiety, anger, excessive horn honking and, worst-case scenario, a collision. Always check your mirrors (align them as well as you can to take your blind spots into account) and check quickly over your shoulder to be sure the coast is clear.
8) Speeding and driving too slowly
Speed is one of the biggest factors in collisions. Even on a clear, dry day, you never know when an animal will spring out onto the road and cause you to panic and possibly swerve. Speeding will not only get you points on your license and fines, it wastes gas, and might not give you enough reaction time for whatever is waiting ahead. Conversely, driving too slowly will tie up traffic and create a situation where other drivers may be more prone to risky behaviors to get around you.
9) Poor parking
Parking does take a modicum of skill. When you park, be sure you are leaving enough space between your car and the other cars. Don’t park in designated areas (like handicapped spots) that don’t apply to you, and as tempting as it might be, don’t double park, even if it’s for 5 minutes.
10) Don’t drink and drive
The fallacy created when drinking alcohol is that you might really believe that it makes you a better driver. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Alcohol slows down your reaction time, putting you at much greater risk of hurting yourself and others in a wreck. It’s easier now than ever before to hire a rideshare service to take you home.
Just because you have years of driving experience under your belt doesn’t necessarily mean you’re always making the right choices. Review your driving habits and determine which ones you can change for the better. You never know when changing just one will save your life.
