How Guilty Are You of Dangerous Driving Habits?

There are certain driving habits that are not only illegal but can also be very dangerous. I think many of us can admit to practicing bad driving habits at least occasionally. Often it doesn’t matter how experienced a driver you are, breaking traffic and driving rules is a dangerous habit to get into. Traffic laws exist for a reason, after all, and the reason is generally your safety as well as the safety of others.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash due to the negligence in safe driving habits by another driver, someone like this car crash injury attorney Detroit can help you navigate the legal system to ensure that you are properly compensated for any personal injuries or property damage.

To prevent yourself from falling on the wrong side of any legal action, however, you may consider changing your driving habits. This post will discuss seven dangerous driving habits that are worth breaking right now. 

1. Speeding

Speeding is probably the most common dangerous driving habit. While you could definitely argue that there are some instances where going over the speed limit isn’t going to harm anyone (such as on a long straight empty highway), it is important to recognize that speed limits exist for a reason. If you have an accident with impact at a very high speeds, there is a higher risk of more severe injury that could result in the need for urgent care or other emergency services.

Many of us, myself included, go over the speed limit when we are cruising down the highway. I tend to set my cruise control for about 5 mph hour over the posted speed limit as long as there isn’t much traffic. Too much traffic prevents the use of your cruise control feature altogether. But when you are driving through neighborhoods or heavily developed urban areas, speeding should be completely avoided as the risk to pedestrians becomes much higher in areas busy with foot traffic. It is also important to maintain a safe and appropriate speed if visibility is reduced due to weather conditions or other circumstances.

2. Running Red Lights

When you run a red light, you are also running a very high risk of causing an accident with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Of course, there are emergency situations when you have to break traffic laws. However, if you are approaching a red light during a high traffic time of day, it is never wise to run the light once it has turned red.

Unfortunately most people run red lights simply because they are in a hurry and not due to some unforeseen emergency situation. If you find that you are always in a hurry and it negatively impacts your driving by forcing you to take unnecessary risks, try to schedule your time better so that you can arrive at your destination stress free and not in a rush. Being a timely person is absolutely one way to minimize your need for speeding.

3. Using Your Cell Phone While Driving

Ever since cell phones hit the scene, they have been a hot topic in the realm of driving regulations. Many states have banned cell phone use completely while driving which could result in severe fines if you are caught and ticketed. But regardless of a monetary penalty, using your cell phone while driving is a distraction that could increase your risk of an accident. You want both hands to always be free to maneuver your vehicle in the proper way. However, modern bluetooth technology has provided a way to use your phone hands-free while driving. If your vehicle is equipped with bluetooth technology, you definitely want to consider linking your phone up so that you can answer calls more safely while driving. 

4. Eating While Driving

Eating while driving is not itself illegal, but it can be just as dangerous as using a cell phone while driving because your hands and attention are occupied and not completely focused on the task of driving. If you are juggling your breakfast and your coffee behind the wheel of your car, you inhibit your ability to make an emergency maneuver if required.

Sometimes it is necessary for us to eat while we are on the road. But it might be a wiser choice to pull over for a few minutes while you eat. Alternatively, when choosing foods to consume while driving, stick to liquids that you can sip without having to unscrew a lid (like soup in a flask). 

5. Not Using Turn Signals

Turn signals are important for alerting other drivers and pedestrians where you are going. Neglecting to use your turn signal could result in an accident if a car pulls out in front of you or a pedestrian walks out into the road believing that you were going another way. Sometimes the lane you are in can be an adequate indicator of your intention, however, it is never a bad idea to get into the habit of always using your turn signal. Even if no one is around to see it.

6. Tailgating

We are all familiar with the ever annoying issue of tailgating. You know those drivers, the ones who creep up so close to your bumper that you can’t even see their headlights in the rearview mirror? While tailgating is not necessarily illegal, there are prescribed distances within the driving regulations that allow for a safe distance between vehicles to prevent accidents. If you are following too closely behind the car in front of you and they stop short or swerve sharply to avoid a hazard in their path, an accident is much more likely to occur. Practice maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you so you have enough space to safely stop your own vehicle in the event of emergency breaking.

7. Driving Under the Influence

This is the most obvious of all bad driving habits. Clearly when we are under the influence of any mind or mood altering substance, our ability to drive safely is drastically impaired. Not only is driving under the influence an extremely dangerous action that risks your life and the lives of others, it also carries very heavy penalties including fines, loss of driving privileges, and sometimes even jail time.

So even when you think you are okay to drive after imbibing certain substances, stop and think twice before actually getting into your car. If you find that you are unable to get yourself home, you can call an Uber, a taxi, or a friend or simply spend the night where you are if that is an option. Also if you know that you will be drinking or doing drugs when you head out for the evening, make transportation plans ahead of time so that you are not forced to make a decision after you are impaired.

*Full disclosure: Nearly 20 years ago, I made the not so wise decision to drive home a very short 7 mile distance after drinking alcohol. I thought I was fine as I had taken a 45 minute PATH train ride out of New York City into New Jersey where I would pick up my car to drive home. It was dark and rainy and I was talking on my cell phone when I missed the left hand turn onto my street. I came to the next intersection and in my frustration, I slammed a left hand turn really quickly and completely broadsided the car coming towards me in the opposite lane. In my defense, if I have any at all, that car did not have its headlights on. It was about midnight so it was very dark. And like I said, it was raining. I slammed into the car so hard that I spun it all the way to the other side of the street. Fortunately, other than the car being totaled, no one was injured and it was chalked up to simply an accident caused by a dark and rainy night. I immediately saw this moment as a blessing and a warning and I made a firm vow to myself to never ever drive under the influence again regardless of how confident I might feel about driving. And I have stuck to that promise. Seriously, there is never any need for driving under the influence.

Do you have bad driving habits? Are there any that you are willing to break?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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