Whether you’re learning to drive or have passed your driving test and obtained your license, you’ll quickly understand that not many people go the way that they were supposed to be taught. You may find people driving and turning with one hand on the wheel or texting while driving. Either way, below is a list of the most common driving habits that make the roads less safe for everyone. We encourage new and old drivers alike to read, analyze, and apply safer practices to prevent car accidents and road fatalities.
Had Habits that Develop Over Time
1. Ignoring blind spots
Checking your mirrors and adjusting them to avoid any blindspots is one of the first things you learn when driving. It only takes a few seconds to adapt and only a fraction of one to do a head-check. Maybe not having an instructor double-check these every time could have led people to fall out of this habit.
Some new cars include technology that monitors blind spots and makes either noise or has a flashing light to warn the driver, but don’t rely on these. Keep the habit of making sure you can see as much of your surroundings as possible; you can never be 100% sure if there’s another car in your blindspots if you don’t look.
2. Poor steering wheel control
According to a study, after just a few weeks of passing their driving tests, many drivers stop putting the hands on the correct “10 and 2 o’clock” or new “9 and 3 o’clock” positions. Most of them start driving with one hand on the wheel. New studies show how having both hands on the “9 and 3 o’clock” position can yield even better control over the movement of your car. Set down your morning coffee and pay attention to the road and your car. The last thing you want is to cause an accident, so be aware and prepared at all times.
3. Lack of indicating
Failing to indicate a turn or lane change can land you a ticket and create an unsafe environment for other motorists or pedestrians as they won’t expect you to turn or change lanes. Other vehicle drivers and pedestrians should be able to see what you’re planning on doing; that way, they can be prepared, and there would be a lower chance of an accident.
4. Keeping your distance
If the car in front of you would come to a sudden stop, it’d be best to have some distance from them, so you have less of a risk of going into the back of them. It’s essential to keep your distance even at a standstill as a car could rollback (especially on hills). On main roads, try to stay one or two cars’ length (~40 meters) away. A good rule of thumb while at a standstill is to make sure you can always see the car’s rear tires in front of you.
5. Driving on low fuel
Not only is this harmful to your engine, but some people even believe the lower the fuel, the less weight and, therefore, go further. But they run the risk of running entirely out of fuel which, would be a terrible hazard in the middle of an interstate. Not to mention how awful it is on your engine to run your car out of fuel.
Avoid this habit by pre-emptively filling up your car’s fuel as soon as it drops below a quarter tank.
6. Not wearing a seatbelt
Not wearing a seatbelt is by far the worst bad habit that new drivers pick up the quickest. In fact, according to a study, this happens after just two weeks of passing their test. It’s imperative to wear your seatbelt at all times, as it can be quite fatal to sustain a high-speed impact without a seatbelt. Make it a habit to put on your seatbelt the second you get into the car.
