There are some things drivers just should and should not do when on the road, some of which you may not think about when you are in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, not every person on the road is a good driver, which can lead to serious consequences for both them and others. If you want to identify if you are a good or bad motorist, find out if you are guilty of the following nine most dangerous things drivers can do behind the wheel.
1) Not Wearing a Seatbelt:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 people’s lives in the United States alone are saved every year thanks to seatbelts. Airbags alone cannot prevent a fatal collision, as they have been designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts, as they can both prevent passenger ejection. It takes only a few seconds to put on a seatbelt, and it could save your life. So, always buckle up every time you step inside a vehicle.
2) Driving Under the Influence:
Tragically, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash in America every 51 minutes, which is an estimated 27 people every single day. However, despite the dangers, drunk drivers are believed to have driven at least 80 times under the influence before their first arrest. Unsurprisingly, most of the fatalities on the road are caused by drunk drivers, as the alcohol will impair their driving ability, judgment, and reaction times. Therefore, if you do plan to drink, use some common sense and book a cab or arrange a designated new driver.
3) Distracted Driving:
The NHTSA has also estimated there are approximately 481,000 distracted drivers on the road at any one time. For example, a driver might be texting, eating, or applying makeup while driving, and these actions can distract both their minds, hands, and eyes away from the road. For example, sending or receiving a text message on your cellphone is believed to increase the risk factor by 3.82%, while viewing a roadside object could also raise the risk by 3.82%. Shockingly, simply dialing a number into a cellphone means a driver is eight times more likely to be involved in a car crash. Think about how many times you have spotted a driver texting in their vehicle, or noticed a parent shouting at their children. This is only a small indication of how many distracted drivers there are on the road, and each is a danger to themselves and others. Don’t add to the statistic and provide the road with your undivided attention.
4) Reckless Driving:
Every driver will have spotted another driver with no care for the law when driving on the road, as they could be guilty of weaving in and out of traffic, swerving, or sudden braking or acceleration. They might even be guilty of driving slowly in the freeway’s left lane. Driving 20mph or more over the speed limit is deemed as reckless driving in many US states, and there are significant penalties if caught in the act, such as a hefty fine and/or jail time. Remember, you are not driving a race car, so respect the road, the law, and other drivers.
5) Driving Too Fast in Arduous Weather:
Whenever the weather takes a turn for the worst, drivers would be wise to slow down their speed to prevent causing a collision or accident. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are on the road; you must slow your speed. For example, if the road’s surface is particularly slippery, it can cause a 3,500 to 5,000-pound vehicle to lose traction on the road once they attempt to slow down. Aggressive driving could, therefore, lead to a truck driver colliding with other vehicles on the road. A victim or their family would have no choice to turn to a truck accident lawyer for wrongful death or serious injury, so they can receive the compensation they deserve to cover medical expenses, loss of income, and their pain and suffering.
The laws of physics will often come into play when speeding. The faster a car’s speed, the more likely a fatality will be in the event of a collision. In fact, speeding is reportedly the second leading cause of fatality following driving under the influence. If everyone travels at the same speed, then the roads become more predictable, and accidents are less likely to occur. Therefore, always follow the speed limit to protect your own life, as well as the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around you.
7) Drowsy Driving:
Are you aware that drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence? That is because you will have slower reaction times and you’re also likely to fall asleep at the wheel. Unfortunately, sleepy drivers are more likely to crash on a high-speed road, and they are usually unable to control the vehicle in the moments before an impact. Never drive a vehicle when tired and always pull over to a safe spot to rest before you continue your journey.
8) Drafting Tractor Trailers:
Did you know that driving a car closer than 150 feet behind a truck is dangerous? However, even as far back as this distance will give a driver less than two seconds to react following a sudden brake. It’s also important to note that trailer drivers will be unable to see the vehicles directly behind them, which can be dangerous for any car located closely behind. Avoid driving behind such vehicles unless you have nowhere else to drive on the road.
9) Not Yielding the Right of Way:
Not yielding the right of way is one of the leading causes of car accidents. In fact, it is the biggest causes of accidents for drivers who are aged 70 or older. In fact, people in the merge lane can often be a source of much anxiety for long-haul truck drivers. Avoid causing a danger on the road by always yielding the right of way, which can avoid an unwanted collision.