Poor Driving Habits You Should Kick To The Curb

Most people consider themselves “good drivers” but with roughly over six million auto accidents
that occur each year in the U.S., the evidence portrays something different. The gist of it all is,
drivers tend to become comfortable on the road after some time and wind up developing poor
habits along the way. It’s crucial for drivers to recognize how some of the driving habits they
normally find “harmless” can significantly cost them in the long run. Here are some Poor
Driving Habits You Should Kick To The Curb:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can be anything that diverts your attention from the road, even
for a few seconds. This can include texting, eating while driving, talking on the
phone, etc. Some drivers may find them harmless, but according to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Distracted driving is the culprit
to 3,142 deaths in 2019 alone.
If for any reason a driver has to make a phone call or eat their lunch, it’s always
best to either pull to a safe side of the road or wait until they get to their
destination.
Failure to Signal

One of the top leading causes of auto accidents each year. Failing to signal is
actually irresponsible driving as it is the only way to communicate with other
drivers on the road. This habit is highly common in drivers, especially in the
Tampa Bay area. Please keep in mind that failure to signal is the cause of a total
of 2 million accidents each year, where 25% of drivers do not use their turning
signals at all.
You are not only putting yourself in danger but possibly someone else who may
actually be following the rules.
Fatigue Driving

Sleep-deprived driving is actually just as dangerous as drunk driving.
Getting adequate sleep on a daily basis as well as staying off the road while
experiencing fatigue are the best ways to avoid dangerous situations. In addition,
it is absolutely essential that you check and thoroughly read the labels on any
prescriptions and/or over-the-counter medications to ensure drowsiness does
not occur after use.
Speeding

It’s 8:50 am and you have to be at work at 9. Unfortunately, it takes 15 minutes to
get there, so speeding up will help shave off some time and you’ll be walking in
the office by at least 9:01 right? Speeding can cause an increased potential for
loss of control while driving. Therefore, if you choose to speed as your solution,
you’ve just heightened your chances of not even making it there in the first place.
Tailgating

Another highly common driving habit is tailgating. The issue with tailgating is
that the driver doesn’t leave much room for themselves if the car in front of them
suddenly stops. Tailgating can also be a result of fatigued driving. In fact, it is
one of the few warning signs to watch out for to help you recognize that you may
be a bit too fatigued to be on the road. Please also keep in mind that Rear-end
collisions can cause serious spinal cord and head injuries.
Blocking Traffic

Blocking traffic can leave other drivers no choice to react in unsafe ways resulting
in a domino effect. This often occurs around intersections, railroad tracks, and
car accident scenes by nosy drivers. Overall, blocking traffic is flat-out illegal and
can most definitely cost you.
If you’re in bumper-to-bumper traffic and the car in front of you is eased into
traffic just over the railroad tracks or just past that line, the best thing to do is
simply stay where you are until there is more space for you to ease into.
Running The Yellow/Red Light

This highly common driving habit is responsible for about 22% of auto accidents.
When seeing the yellow light, drivers tend to speed up. It may sound like a smart
idea at the time but trying to beat the red light can cause fatal collisions. It may
be hard to hear for some drivers, but it is best to simply slow down to a soft halt
when they meet a yellow light. Drivers have to remember that this habit causes a
dangerous situation for cross traffic.

Final Words

Of course, there are many understandable reasons why a driver may result in the driving
habits above. However, it is highly essential to remember that your life is more
important. There can be many instances where time may be a problem such as no time to
eat or this mandatory work meeting you can not miss. Sometimes it’s best to let the day
run its course. Besides, it’s the beauty of life and the lessons that come with it all.