There are many driving behaviors that can be expensive or potentially dangerous if they become a habit. Driving instructors will often try to discourage us from developing these habits while learning and hope that we will keep them up after we have gained our license, perhaps having waited for test cancellations to become available to take the test sooner. That said, many of us still end up adopting these bad habits after years of driving. Below are some examples of bad driving habits that are worth breaking. If you are just starting out, avoid these bad habits:
Tailgating
Driving close behind the vehicle in front is known as tailgating. The biggest danger of tailgating is that it increases your chance of hitting the vehicle in front if the driver has to do an emergency brake. Using a car accident lawyer like John Foy & Associates, the driver may file an injury lawsuit if you hit them and cause them whiplash. On top of the cost of having to repair your vehicle, the cost of this lawsuit could be financially crippling and is something you definitely want to avoid.
Not using blinkers
Using turn signals is a legal requirement across the US whenever changing direction, and yet some people rarely use them. While your road position can sometimes tell drivers where you plan to go, turn signals are a much clearer indicator of what you plan to do. Make sure to use them to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Speeding
Almost all of us are guilty of occasionally speeding. However, it shouldn’t be something you do all the time – and certainly not at speeds that are clearly dangerous. If you’ve already got yourself a speeding ticket or got in an accident due to speeding, it could be a clear sign that you need to slow down. Check out these tips for preventing speeding at Infinity Auto.
Driving under the influence
Drinking alcohol can slow down your reactions and increase your risk of being in an accident. Driving with an alcohol blood count of 0.08% or higher is also illegal across the US – in some states you could lose your licence and pay a big fine if you’re caught.
Using your phone while driving
Phones are a huge distraction when driving and can also increase your risk of being involved in an accident. Just like driving under the influence, using a phone while driving is illegal in most states and can carry heavy penalties.
Not checking tires
A lot of drivers don’t check their tires enough – including checking the pressure and checking for wear. Driving on damaged or underinflated tires can have all kinds of negative consequences from increasing the risk of a blowout to reducing fuel efficiency, so it’s worth regularly checking your tires (especially before a long journey).
Riding the clutch
A common bad habit among drivers of manual cars is riding the clutch. This is when you leave some pressure on the clutch even when it’s already in gear. Riding the clutch is a big cause of premature clutch wear so is a habit worth ironing out.
Driving over potholes
Potholes aren’t always possible to avoid driving over, however if you have a chance to swerve around them you should. Regularly driving over potholes can increase the risk of developing tire and suspension problems.
Ignoring warning lights
Warning lights are there to warn you of problems with your vehicle (some of which could be dangerous), so don’t ignore them. While some warning lights can be the result of an electrical problem, it’s safer to get them checked out by a mechanic before assuming this.
Revving the engine while cold
Revving the motor in cold weather can help your engine to warm up faster, but it can also cause a lot of damage to your engine. In cold weather, it’s generally better to leave the engine running for a couple minutes before putting your foot on the gas. This is a much less damaging way to warm up the engine.