When you’ve had your licence for a long period of time, it can be easy to fall into certain dangerous habits. Let’s face it, it can be easy to get too comfortable behind the wheel! However, driving should always require your full attention. Unless you are fully concentrating on the road, you may end up in a terrible accident. Even skilled and experienced drivers can get into trouble. While some mistakes may be minor, others can affect your life and that of other innocent drivers, sometimes forever. For these reasons, it is crucial to stay safe by avoiding the following dangerous driving habits:
1. Driving under the influence
This one is very obvious, but drunk driving still kills thousands of people each year, and is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. Alcohol and drugs greatly affect your ability to drive, and the consequences can be deadly. In addition to causing potential harm to yourself and others, you will likely lose your licence and your driving privilege because a DUI conviction comes with serious consequences. There is also the possibility of jail time. In order to stay safe, make sure you never drive under the influence. Even if you don’t think you have had a lot to drink, it’s never a good idea to take the risk. Always opt for another option, such as a cab, Uber, or public transportation.
2. Using your phone while driving
Though our cellphones are a normal part of our everyday lives, they should never be part of our driving routine! Texting while driving can increase your risk of being involved in a serious car accident. This is because you have to take your attention off the road, which is an incredibly dangerous habit. Your eyes should always be focused on the road and your cellphone screen should never be a distraction as you can hit objects, other cars or pedestrians. Place your phone out of reach so it is not a distraction and answer your texts when you arrive safely at your destination! If you need your phone for directions, invest in a phone mount for your dashboard. Make sure you have GPS audio turned on as to not turn your attention away from your phone!
3. Distracted driving
Your cellphone is not the only thing that can shift your focus when your driving! Many things such as eating, make-up application and listening to loud music are all considered distractions as well. All of these habits can lead to deadly consequences, so if you need to do something that is going to potentially distract you from the side of the road, it is best to pull over so that you and others are safe. Remember to be safe when pulling over and make sure it is always safe to do so. In order to be completely safe, always try and eat or apply makeup before you get behind the wheel of your car. Even if it means arriving a bit late to your destination, it is never worth potentially putting yourself and others at risk.
4. Road rage
We get it, sometimes other people’s actions can prove frustrating when you are behind the wheel of a car. It is quite often that drivers find themselves in frustrating situations. However, no matter how aggravating a situation is, you must always remember to remain calm. Aggressive driving is extremely dangerous and very often can lead to an accident. Driving recklessly, performing erratic lane changes and ignoring traffic laws are all examples of dangerous driving habits that are generally caused by road rage. Road rage can also lead to violence when you’re on the road, so it is always best to remain calm and to practice courteous driving. No matter how frustrated you may be at someone or a situation, it is never worth putting yourself or other drivers at risk!
5. Speeding
Unfortunately, this is one of many dangerous driving habits that is all too common. Luckily, this is a very easy problem to solve! Simply follow the speed limit and your chances of being involved in an accident will decrease drastically. It is often quite tempting to drive fast or go a bit above the speed limit, but the risks involved are never worth it. If you find yourself running late, simply take the initiative to inform whoever your boss or whoever may be meeting you of you that you may be on time. They will almost always understand!
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