Avoid these habits and avoid being exposed to roadway risks.
When it comes to safe driving, the little details matter. Many people don’t realize that seemingly small bad habits can lead to disastrous consequences on the roads. To keep everyone safe and healthy, it’s important to be aware of the top 5 most dangerous driving habits. An Austin car accident lawyer can tell you more about these and what to look for.
From distracted driving to speeding, these everyday behaviors can put you and your passengers at risk if left unchecked. So buckle up and read on for a comprehensive list of the top five most dangerous driving habits!
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the top most dangerous driving habits and it's an issue that plagues many drivers. Distraction can come in different forms, including texting while driving, eating, drinking or simply not paying attention to the road. Research has found that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of being involved in a car accident.
It's also been shown that sending or receiving a text message takes your eyes off the road 5 times longer than other distractions. This kind of distracted driving can lead to serious consequences like death, property damage and injuries. In addition to these physical risks, distracted drivers can also face legal repercussions such as fines and even jail time.
It's essential to stay focused when you're behind the wheel in order to protect yourself and others on the roads. Taking measures like limiting conversations with passengers in the vehicle and avoiding multitasking (like texting and eating) can help minimize distraction levels while driving. Additionally, setting phones on silent mode or switching them off entirely is another way to stay focused on the task at hand- safely navigating.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most dangerous driving habits and can easily lead to car accidents. Driving over the speed limit or too fast for conditions can significantly reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase their risk of crashing. Research has shown that drivers aged 16-20 are particularly at risk when it comes to speeding-related crashes.
Speeding also increases the potential for more serious injury and death if an accident does occur. At higher speeds, vehicles require more distance to stop and collisions become more severe due to increased momentum.
As a result, occupants may be far more likely to suffer traumatic injuries like broken bones, head trauma or other life-threatening conditions when a crash occurs at high speed.
Given the risks associated with speeding, it’s important for drivers to adhere to posted speed limits whenever possible. Drivers should always adjust their speed according to weather conditions and be mindful of any construction zones where reduced speeds may be necessary for safety purposes.
Above all else, being aware of your surroundings and allowing plenty of time for traveling will help ensure safe driving on roads everywhere.
Texting and driving
Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous driving habits because it combines two dangerous behaviors—distracted driving and speeding. Texting while behind the wheel takes a person’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which at 55 mph can be equivalent to traveling the length of a football field blindfolded.
It decreases reaction time drastically, making it challenging for drivers to react quickly to changing conditions such as pedestrians crossing or sudden braking from other motorists.
In addition, texting and driving also increases a driver's risk of being involved in a car accident due to their decreased alertness. Research has shown that texting and driving makes it six times more likely for drivers to cause crashes than non-texting drivers.
This means that even if you manage to keep your eyes on the road while sending a message, you're still at an increased risk of being involved in an accident due to impaired judgment.
Furthermore, texting and driving can result in serious consequences should an accident occur. Since texting while on the move may require both hands off the steering wheel, drivers have less control over their vehicles when something unexpected happens.
In addition, more severe injuries may occur due to decreased reaction time or lack of control over a vehicle in motion- resulting in higher chances of fatalities or permanent disabilities.
Given these risks associated with texting and driving, it’s important for all drivers to remain vigilant about not using their phones while behind the wheel. Additionally, setting phones on silent mode or switching them off entirely is another way to stay focused on safe maneuvering from point A to point B.
Tailgating
Tailgating is a dangerous driving habit that can often lead to car accidents. Tailgating involves driving too close to the car in front of you and can prevent drivers from having enough time to respond to any sudden changes in the road conditions.
Research has shown that tailgating is one of the top causes of rear-end collisions, which are responsible for around 30% of all car accidents.
When drivers follow too closely behind the vehicles in front of them, they risk crashing into other cars without the time or space to stop safely. Rear-end collisions are often caused by tailgaters who fail to leave enough distance between their own vehicle and the car in front, resulting in a crash when that vehicle suddenly brakes or turns. In extreme cases, drivers may be unable to avoid crashing even if they have time to react due to their speed and limited space.
At higher speeds, tailgating can be particularly dangerous as vehicles need more distance and time to stop safely. Rear-end collisions at high speed can cause more serious injury than those at lower speeds due to increased momentum and force involved. This type of collision also has higher chances of causing fatalities given its severity and likelihood for traumatic injuries like broken bones or head trauma.
Given these risks associated with tailgating, it’s important for drivers to always maintain an appropriate following distance when on the road. Drivers should allow enough room so that they have sufficient time and space if there’s sudden braking or slowing down in traffic or other unexpected changes on the road. Above all else, being aware and leaving plenty of room will help ensure safe driving on roads everywhere.
Failing to use turn signals
Not using turn signals properly is a dangerous driving habit that can put you and other drivers at risk. When drivers fail to use their turn signals, they fail to provide other motorists with the information needed to make safe decisions on the road. This lack of communication can lead to serious accidents, especially at intersections where cars are likely to be turning or crossing in front of one another.
Research has shown that a significant portion of all car accidents can be attributed to driver failure to signal when making turns or changing lanes. Not only does this decrease visibility for other vehicles, it also increases confusion and reaction times among drivers due to an inability to anticipate the move of nearby cars. In some cases, drivers may not even realize that someone else is attempting a lane change until it's too late and a crash has already occurred.
Moreover, not using true signals can lead to catastrophic consequences in dangerous driving scenarios such as high speed merges or turns. Without alerting other drivers via his or her turn signal ahead of time, a driver may find themselves unable to avoid an accident due to their increased speed and limited braking space. Additionally, failing to use turn signals at higher speeds will decrease the amount of time a driver has available for maneuvering around hazardous road conditions such as pedestrians crossing or sudden braking from other motorists.
Given these risks associated with improper signaling habits, it’s important for all drivers ensure they are clearly communicating with others on the road by always using true signals whenever making turns or changes in direction. This will help make roads safer for everyone involved by providing more visibility and allowing for predictability in traffic flow. Above all else, taking proactive steps towards improving safety on roads everywhere requires responsible driving behavior from all motorists alike.
Call Fletcher Law for help on your car accident case
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an experienced attorney for help. Fletcher Law specializes in representing victims of motor vehicle accidents and can provide the legal guidance and support needed to ensure your rights are protected.
Our team of attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving rear-end collisions, high speed crashes, improper signaling habits, and other dangerous driving scenarios. We understand the complexities of these types of cases and will work tirelessly to pursue justice on your behalf.
At Fletcher Law, we strive to provide outstanding service from start to finish with personalized attention given to each case. We also prioritize communication throughout the process so that our clients always feel informed about their options moving forward. If you’re looking for reliable legal representation after being injured in a car accident, look no further than Fletcher Law – contact us today for more information.