Welcome back to our blog serious on the habits of dangerous drivers. In our last blog, we discussed how speeding, tire maintenance, and failing to yield all contribute to making the road a more dangerous place. Keeping out Phoenix streets safe is all about everyone making a concentrated effort to reduce risk factors. A single person driving dangerously places everyone else on the road at risk. Without further ado, let’s learn about four more dangerous driving habits.
- Failing to Wear a Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives. In a study conducted between 2004 and 2008, it was determined that seatbelts had saved over 75,000 lives. Image how high accident fatality totals would be if we had no seatbelts. Wearing a seatbelt is a simple safety precaution that can save your life. Before you put your key in the ignition, buckle your seatbelt.
- Reckless/Aggressive Driving
Reckless driving is defined as driving “with a willful or wanton disregard safety or the operation of a vehicle in which you show a willful disregard of consequences.” Essential, reckless or aggressive driving is driving in a way in which other drivers cannot anticipate your actions. This places everyone on the road at risk. Sudden braking, extreme acceleration, and weaving in and out of traffic will rarely get you somewhere faster, but it could result in an accident.
- Following too Close
It is important to allow enough stopping distance between cars. The faster traffic is moving; the more distance should be left between vehicles. You need to leave not only enough room to react but enough room for the breaks to bring the vehicle fully to a halt.
- Driving under the Influence
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration states that driving under the influence is the leading cause of accident-related fatalities. Under NO circumstances is it EVER okay to drive under the influence. Find another way home. Call a cab or a friend. Do not get behind the wheel of a car.
