The Safe Driver

The most dangerous driving practices

As written for The Safe Driver.

We all know that driving can be a highly dangerous activity. Nevertheless, it is still done on a near-daily basis, often without as much concern or caution as all the dangers posed by the roads likely deserve. In fact, many of the dangers of driving come from our own reckless habits when behind the wheel. A lot of effort goes into making driving safer for all of us, but even with the most impressive technological improvements, dangerous driving practices continue.

A Lack of Caution

You’ve been driving for many years and can’t even count how many times you’ve taken this very same route. Driving is comfortable. You’re confident in your abilities, and that can be the most dangerous belief of all. When you become sure of yourself, you stop putting that extra effort into ensuring safety. Overconfidence doesn’t necessarily make you into an instant bad driver, but it does often lead to a lack of caution. With an unrealistic belief in your control over driving circumstances, why wouldn’t you just throw out all that cautionary advice?

Speeding

Many drivers see posted speed limits as one of those pieces of safety advice that they can safely ignore. The limits are believed to be mere suggestions to help guide your actual speed choice, and if you want to get there quickly, that just might have to be a bit higher than the number on the sign. However, you might want to consider how speeding is the second leading cause of traffic fatalities. It is easily one of the most dangerous driving practices of them all.

When you’re going fast, you have less time to react when it becomes necessary to do so. The car takes more time to come to a stop from higher speeds, and sometimes it won’t have all the time it needs. Speeding makes crashes more likely, and also, more dangerous. After all, the faster you move into a collision, the worse the impact is going to be. Getting there a little faster just isn’t worth any of the danger.

Neglecting Rules of the Road

None of the dangerous behaviors that take place when driving are worth it, no matter the reason behind them. Traffic rules are in place for a much better reason, which is the safety of yourself and all those around you. This important reason behind the rules of the road may be easily forgotten when emotions get in the way though.

When you have somewhere you urgently need to be and your anxiety over being late is up, it may seem okay to not only speed but also weave around the other cars “in your way” and run stop signs and red lights. When the guy that just doesn’t know how to drive cuts you off or forgets to put his turn signal on, anger may drive you to take retaliation measures with some aggressive driving. None of these emotion-fueled behaviors will do you any good though, and they may instead only put everyone in a very dangerous situation. Make sure to always try to get a grip on anything that can interfere with your driving before you put yourself in danger.

Playing It Safe When Driving

An awareness of your dangerous driving habits is the first step towards putting an end to them. You may be an extremely experienced driver, but this doesn’t give you a pass to be reckless. Utilizing caution while behind the wheel is important to staying safe.

A Lack of Focus

A part of being cautious is allowing yourself to focus completely on the road before you. Distractions can come in many forms, including drunkenness, drowsiness, cell phones, pets in the vehicle, eating, and the radio. Being distracted from the task itself is one of the most dangerous driving practices that there is. If you can’t keep your eyes and complete attention on the road, you perhaps shouldn’t be driving.

Driving when Incapable of Concentration

Under all circumstances, driving requires dedication of your full attention. Yet if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol or even if you just haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep, it just won’t be possible to fully concentrate. There’s a reason behind all the laws against driving under the influence. It’s incredibly dangerous.

The solution to the danger is really simple. If you aren’t in a capable state for driving, don’t drive. This doesn’t just mean trying to sober up in time. It really is important to have a designated driver whenever you will be drinking, and also whenever you’re on a worrisome prescription medication. If the drug facts recommend avoidance of operating heavy machinery, you may not want to operate the car. And if you’re sleepy for any reason, you’d be better off getting some rest than deciding to take a drive.

Cell Phone Use

Just as driving can wait until you’re ready to handle the task, phone calls can wait until you’re done driving. By now, everyone should know that the use of a cell phone while driving is dangerous, but it is still done. You don’t just have to be texting to put yourself in danger either. The distractions of cell phones are many.

They pull your eyes off the road when you get a text and also when you change the playlist or use the navigation app. They pull your attention away from the task of driving not just when you have a text to write but also when you’re on a call and chatting away. Despite its praise, even hands-free calling can be dangerous as the act of talking on the phone easily distracts on its own.

Other Distractions

Of course, cell phones aren’t the only distractions that present themselves to drivers. Anything that pulls your focus away, whether that’s an in-person conversation with your passenger, the attempt to complete an activity such as eating or putting on makeup, or the use of the car’s radio, can pose a danger. Some distractions may not be completely avoidable, but they should be minimized, especially if you’re easily distracted.

Maintaining your Focus on the Road

Nothing should get in the way of the most important task when behind the wheel: driving. If you can’t give this activity the full attention it deserves, you shouldn’t be driving. To stay safe, it’s essential that you put away all forms of distractions before accepting the responsibility of being a driver.

Dodging Dangerous Driving

Safe driving is the responsibility of everyone on the roads. If we want to put an end to the dangerous driving practices that threaten our lives and those of the communities we’re a part of, we have to rethink attitudes towards driving. The activity is not one to be taken for granted. It’s serious and deserves our respect. Any time you get behind the wheel, remember to be cautious and focus on staying safe.