A List Of The Worst Driving Habits

At least one in 45 people sustained some form of injury while driving on American roadways in 2020. In addition, three persons die in fatal car crashes every day. While accidents occur for different reasons, certain behaviors increase the chances of accidents.

Some of the worst driving habits include but are not limited to driving while you’re half asleep, cell phone usage, ignoring speed limits, changing lanes without warning, not maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead, and driving under the influence. Such behaviors are common causes of traffic fatalities and should be avoided by all means.

Things You Shouldn’t Do While Driving

Most car owners spend no less than one hour on the road each day, and while driving might begin to seem like a mundane task for people who have had their fair share of time on the road, it is not to be taken lightly.

It’s easy to pick up one or two bad habits after getting a false sense of comfort, and as harmless as such practices may seem, the consequences can be pretty severe. They can lead to a spike in your car insurance premium if you’re arrested for committing an offense, injury or even death.

The following are some of the most unsafe driving habits you must avoid for safety.

1. Cell Phone Use

According to the National Safety Council, 21 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes happen due to drivers making calls or texting on their cell phones. Cell phone usage is considered the most dangerous driving habit, next to drunk driving. The National Safety Council suggests that operating a cell phone while driving significantly increases the likelihood of a crash.

2. Operating Electronic Devices

Distracted driving accidents often occur when drivers aren’t paying attention to the road or take their hands off the steering wheel after getting side tracked.

Tuning the radio, listening to loud music with headphones, and fiddling with your GPS device or other gadgets while driving are all forms of distracted driving. These habits can either cause you to miss blind spots, take your eyes off the road ahead or forget that other drivers are around you.

3. Driving Under The Influence

More than 29% of car accidents involve drivers under the influence of alcohol or other illicit substances. While alcohol could be a significant problem compared to other substances, the Center For Disease Control (CDC) believes otherwise. The organization suggests that drugs account for about 16% of all intoxicated driving-related accidents.

This is not surprising since drugs affect coordination, reduce reaction time, and impair judgment.

4. Drowsy And Stressed Driving

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving distracted. It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel when you’re half asleep. If you feel drowsy while driving, make sure to find a parking space to get some rest before continuing your journey.

Safe drivers know not to drive when stressed out, as it impairs judgment and can affect their ability to focus on the road. Remember to never drive after a heated argument, as your ability to focus on the road will drastically diminish. You’re also likely to road rage for something as trivial as seeing a car zoom past you.

5. Driving Above The Posted Speed Limit

Speeding is one of the top three most dangerous bad driving habits, even if you’re an experienced driver. This is especially true on wet roads and when driving in bad weather. Over 10,000 fatalities occurred in 2015 due to drivers speeding in inclement weather.

Most drivers drive above the posted speed limits out of fear of being late for their appointments, and while it might not be the most convenient solution, the best way to keep from feeling rushed and driving at high speeds is by waking up and heading out a few hours earlier than planned.

6. Ignoring Stop Signs, Turn Signals, And Running Red Lights

Trying to beat traffic lights and ignoring traffic signs are unnecessary risks that can lead to severe injury and even loss of life. Many drivers often commit this traffic offense involuntarily and not necessarily because they’re in a hurry.

This goes to show how easily this negative and very dangerous habit sticks. Whenever you feel the urge to zoom past a yellow light, make sure to take a few deep breaths and proceed to slow your vehicle down instead.

7. Ignoring The Parking Brake

If you ever have to park your car on an incline, remember to use your parking brake whether you feel it’s necessary or not. Neglecting to do so can put a lot of pressure on your transmission and cause your vehicle to roll down the slope.

8. Riding The Clutch

Some people who drive manual transmission vehicles often make the mistake of keeping the clutch engaged long before it’s time to shift gears or brakes. This can have adverse effects on the hydraulic system. Riding the clutch can also cause the flywheel plates to graze, eventually leading to clutch failure.

9. Shifting Into Drive or Reverse When Not Completely Stopped

Driving an automatic vehicle isn’t like driving a manual one, which is quite evident when shifting to drive or reverse. Trying to force your vehicle’s transmission to do things it wasn’t designed for is a bad idea. Keeping this up will only damage your suspension and drive shafts.

10. Regularly Adding Small Amounts of Fuel to the Gas Tank

Some drivers don’t fill their tanks either because of financial reasons or because they’re hoping to get a better deal elsewhere. However, constantly adding a few gallons to your tank can damage your vehicle each time gas runs out. The reason is that your car will be forced to take built-up sediments from the bottom of the tank every time you begin to run out of fuel which can clog your engine.

11. Riding the Brakes Downhill

While you might need to brake hard for emergency reasons when driving down slopes, it can cause your braking system to wear. It’s best to avoid this manner of driving as it increases the chances of brake failure. Instead of riding your brakes while driving downhill, try switching to low gear if possible.

Final Words

Many of the above driving habits often lead to road accidents. There’s no bad driving habit that can’t be dropped. If you’re guilty of aggressive driving or have recently picked up a bad habit, make sure to nip it in the bud, so you don’t find yourself in a dangerous situation.