Car accidents happen every minute. If you make any of the mistakes we mention here, you’re much more likely to get in a crash. Try to avoid these errors and be a safer driver.
Distracted Driving
Whether you run a car service in NY or are just driving to the grocery store, distracted driving is a big problem in the US. As more Americans use smartphones, distracted driving has become dangerous on our roads.
When you are behind the wheel, all of your attention should be focused on the road. The NHTSA reports that 3,160 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2017. All it takes is looking away from the road for one or two seconds, and the worst can happen.
Experts recommend turning off your phone when you’re driving. If you don’t want to turn it off, at least put it in your purse or glove compartment so you aren’t tempted to peek while driving.
If you miss an important call, you can always just pull over and call them back. Isn’t getting to your destination safely the most important thing?
Fatigued Driving
If you don’t get seven or eight hours of sleep, you will probably be tired behind the wheel. This can cause you to nod off or have slower reaction times.
You should not drive long distances on the highway if you are feeling tired. This is common among professional drivers who are under pressure to get their load or packages delivered on time.
Take a nap before your shift begins to ensure you’re as well-rested as possible.
Speeding
Speeding can encom many behaviors, but they all are dangerous. Whether you drive too fast down a steep hill or through a sharp curve, you can get in a serious accident.
Many people believe they are not speeding if they are following the speed limit in bad weather. But you’re required to slow down to a safe speed when there is snow or rain. If you get in an accident in bad weather, the police may write you a citation if they think you were driving too fast for the conditions.
Blowing Through a Yellow Light
The idea of a yellow light isn’t to tell you to speed up. It’s a warning that the light is about to turn red and you should stop.
It isn’t illegal to go through a yellow light, but it’s risky behavior that makes an accident more likely. If you continue to go through yellow lights daily, you’ll get in a serious accident eventually.
Not Yielding to Other Drivers
Failure to yield to other drivers is a big mistake that can lead to serious accidents on the highway, in particular. Everyone is in a hurry, but you should always yield to other drivers when legally required to do so.
that getting one or two car lengths further down the road isn’t going to get you to your destination much faster. So, give other drivers a break and yield.
Swerving Into Other Lanes
Swerving into other lanes is a sure way to get in an accident. Many drivers don’t pay close enough attention to the lane they are in after driving for a long time. Others may be fatigued. Whatever the case, you can cause serious accidents when you don’t stick in your lane.
Every time you hit the road, keep these common driving errors in mind so you don’t get in an accident.