Driving is an activity that most of us do every day. We get in the car, drive somewhere, and then we get out.

However, if you’re not careful about the way you drive, it could be dangerous to yourself and those around you.

Some driving habits can even lead to serious accidents or deaths and all because drivers simply don’t know how dangerous they are! If you’re curious about how some of these bad habits could endanger your life while behind the wheel, then keep reading!

7 Good Driving Habits That Will Make You A Better Driver

Takeaways
Preparation is crucial to avoid car accidents. Conduct preventive maintenance checks and keep your vehicle in top condition.
Common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, and ignoring traffic signals.
Don’t believe common myths about car safety and ensure you know the correct information to keep you safe.
Before driving, make sure to check your brakes, steering, fluids, headlights, and tires to help prevent accidents.
Avoid distracted driving by turning off your phone, planning your route ahead of time, and avoiding activities that could distract you.

1. Not signing up for a Driver Safety Course

When you get your driver’s license, it’s a privilege, not a right. That means that in order to be eligible for that privilege, you need to meet certain criteria.

For example: if you want to drive on public roads and highways, then you need to pass your state’s written test and driving test.

One other thing? You should probably take some sort of defensive driving course before taking those tests and while there are plenty of reasons why this is important (like knowing how to handle an emergency situation), one reason we’d like to call attention to today is because these courses can also teach drivers about distracted driving and what it can do both on the road and off it..

According to our guide on avoiding car accidents on a road trip, “Preparation is key to avoid unpleasant surprises like car accidents. There are a few preventive maintenance checks and basic strategies to ensure a safer driving experience on your next road trip

2. Driving Angry

Anger is a natural response to frustration, but it can make you more likely to make mistakes. Anger can cloud your judgment and make you less aware of what’s going on around you. It also causes some people to react too quickly, which could lead to accidents.

3. Rear-Ending Vehicles in Stop-and-Go Traffic

If you’ve ever been driving in traffic and found yourself getting very close to the car in front of you, then this is an important one to remember.

If a driver is tailgating, they’re more likely to rear-end the vehicle ahead of them if there’s even the slightest tap from behind.

This can happen when someone pulls out from another lane or when emergency vehicles are approaching with their lights on and sirens blaring. It may seem trivial or even rude for someone to pull up too close but it could lead to serious injuries for both drivers and passengers alike if there were an accident!

As mentioned in our article titled Common causes of accidents “Distracted driving, speeding, intoxicated driving, tailgating, and ignoring traffic signals are some of the main causes of car accidents. Knowing how to avoid such situations can reduce the risk of road accidents.

4. Riding Someone’s Bumper

You might think that riding someone’s bumper is a good way to keep them from driving too fast, but it can actually have the opposite effect. When you ride close behind another car, their brake lights will be less visible and they’ll be more likely to hit you if they need to stop suddenly.

If you are following too closely at night or in bad weather, it’s important that you use your headlights and windshield wipers so that other drivers can see you.

But even if there is no rain or fog, don’t follow any closer than four seconds behind another car—and watch out for tailgaters! If someone gets too close behind you while driving down the highway, pull over into an emergency lane until they pass by safely.

If riding someone’s bumper isn’t enough of an incentive to change your behavior behind the wheel (or if this habit has already caused an accident), consider how it might affect your insurance rates:

Insurance companies often penalize drivers with higher premiums for not maintaining proper distance between cars on the roadways; plus, some states require drivers who cause accidents by following too closely to pay additional fees when renewing their licenses.

Here is a table showing the potential risks and consequences of riding someone’s bumper:

Risks and Consequences	Description
Hasty decisions	Drivers who ride someone’s bumper are more likely to make hasty decisions, such as frequent lane changes or sudden stops.
Reduced reaction time	Riding someone’s bumper can reduce your reaction time in case of an emergency or sudden stop.
Rear-end collisions	Driving too close to another vehicle increases the risk of rear-end collisions in case of a sudden stop or collision.
Legal liability	Tailgating or driving too close to another vehicle is considered a form of aggressive driving and can lead to legal repercussions in case of an accident.
Emotional stress	Being tailgated can cause emotional stress to the driver, leading to anxiety or aggression while driving.

Note: Brand names have not been used in this table as they are not necessary for conveying information on the risks and consequences of riding someone’s bumper.

5. Tailgating

Tailgating is one of the most dangerous driving habits, and it’s easy to fall into. If you drive a lot, chances are you’ve done it at least once. But tailgating can be very dangerous for both you and the person in front of you.

Tailgating is when a driver follows too closely behind another vehicle—and that can be incredibly hazardous for everyone involved.

When two cars are driving close together, there’s not as much room between them for steering or braking. And if an accident occurs, it’s likely that both vehicles would be seriously damaged because they’re so close together.

Not only does tailgating increase your chances of getting in an accident, but it also makes things more stressful on road trips or commutes when traffic starts moving slower than usual (or stops altogether).

You might feel like speeding up so that you get where you’re going faster but this isn’t good either! Not only will it make other drivers angry with their horns honking at yours; but also since speeding up doesn’t make traffic go any faster (it just moves faster than before), what was supposed to take five minutes now takes ten minutes instead!

Our feature on car safety myths explains how “Myths about car safety could be putting you in harm’s way. Knowing the truth can help keep you safe. For example, airbags alone won’t protect you during a crash without wearing a seatbelt. Click the link above to learn more

6. Driving While Texting

You’re not as good of a driver as you think.

It’s easy to think that because you’re a good driver, your eyesight is fine and your reactions are quick enough to keep up with the task at hand.

But don’t be too sure: You may be able to multitask in most situations, but texting while driving isn’t one of them.

According to USA Today, driving while texting can increase your chances of having an accident by 23 times! That’s why several states have banned texting while driving—it’s illegal in Rhode Island, New Jersey and Arkansas.

In addition to being unsafe for drivers themselves, this behavior is also dangerous for other people on the road.

Distracted drivers are more likely than attentive ones to get into accidents with other vehicles or pedestrians near them; they also might not see signs or signals from police officers who are directing traffic (or even other drivers using their phones).

And once someone catches their attention back after they’ve taken their eyes off their own task at hand (like driving), it takes longer than normal before they can return their focus back onto driving safely again

7. Applying Makeup in the Rearview Mirror

This is an easy one. It’s just not safe to apply makeup while you’re driving, and if you must do so, it should be done before you start driving.

The reason is that you need to see what’s behind your vehicle when applying lipstick or mascara, so looking over at your rearview mirror will put yourself and others in danger.

If this habit has become a regular part of your morning routine, consider taking a few minutes before leaving home and walking around instead of driving!

Are you aware of every little detail of your car before starting a drive? Check out our guide on things to check before driving to ensure your safety- “Your car’s brakes, steering, fluids, headlights, and tires should always be checked before driving. Following this 12-point guide will help prevent accidents and maximize your trips.

8. Eating or Drinking While Driving

Eating or drinking while driving is one of the most dangerous habits you can have. You may think that it’s not that big of a deal, but it actually is.

The reason for this is because you can’t concentrate on the road and your food at the same time. You also can’t eat and drive safely at the same time, especially if there are any sharp objects in your food such as bones on chicken wings or pieces of onion in your burger.

This would make sense if you were driving a car with no airbags or seat belts, but since we all have them now, it’s even more important to keep our eyes on the road!

If anything happens while eating and drinking at once then it could cause serious injury or even death for everyone involved–and maybe even some collateral damage too!

Here is a table showing the potential risks and consequences of eating or drinking while driving:

Risks and Consequences	Description
Distracted driving	Eating or drinking requires the use of at least one hand and your attention, which can lead to distracted driving.
Reduced reaction time	Eating or drinking can reduce your reaction time, impair your vision, and cause fatigue, all of which can be dangerous while driving.
Increased crash risk	A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that eating or drinking while driving increases the crash risk by 80%.
Legal repercussions	Depending on the state or circumstances, eating or drinking while driving may be considered a form of distracted driving and subject to fines or legal penalties.
Spills or choking hazards	A spilled drink or food item can create a hazard by obstructing the driver’s view or causing choking.

Note: Brand names have not been used in this table as they are not necessary for the purpose of conveying information on the risks and consequences of eating or drinking while driving.

9. Changing Your Music Collection While Driving

It’s a common practice for drivers to change their playlists on the go, but doing so is actually a big no-no in the driving world.

Not only does it distract you from paying attention to other road users and your surroundings, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not doing it properly.

According to AAA’s study, changing your music collection while driving raises your chances of being involved in an accident by 20 percent!

To avoid that happening, keep your eyes on the road at all times and leave your playlist alone until after you’ve parked—or even better yet: get into some good old-fashioned radio silence!

Our article on avoiding distracted driving suggests “If you want to avoid distracted driving, turn off your phone or switch it to airplane mode before driving, plan your route before you leave, and avoid activities that could distract you, like eating or applying makeup. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road.

10. Having Too Many Passengers in the Car

Having too many passengers in your car can be a safety hazard, especially if you’re new to driving. On top of that, it’s also illegal in many places and can get you a ticket.

When there are too many people in the car, they can take up space that might otherwise be used by safety features like airbags or seat belts.

If there is an accident, the extra weight could lead to more severe injuries for everyone involved not just yourself but also your passengers as well as other drivers who come into contact with you on the road.

In addition to this, having too many people in your vehicle makes it harder for you to control how fast or slow you drive; if one person leans out of their window while another clutches onto their armrests tightly enough for their knuckles to turn white from fear about where this trip might end up taking them next (and who knows what else),

Then there won’t be anyone left who isn’t busy trying not lose everything under control during those next few minutes when things seem like they’re falling apart around us all at once!

11. Parking in No-Parking Zones or Fire Lanes

If you’ve ever parked your car in a no-parking zone or fire lane, you may have gotten away with it. But there are several reasons why not to park in these spots:

Parking in no-parking zones or fire lanes is dangerous. When you park illegally, other drivers won’t know where your vehicle is, which could cause them to drive into it and get hurt. And if someone gets hurt because of your parking job? Well, that’s on you.

Parking in no-parking zones or fire lanes is illegal. You could get a ticket for doing so—and even worse: If someone gets injured because of the unsafe situation that results from parking illegally, then you could be held liable for their injuries and legal fees (which can really add up). So just don’t do it!

Here is a table showing the consequences of parking in no-parking zones or fire lanes:

Consequences	Description
Fine	Ticket or citation for parking illegally.
Towing	Vehicle may be towed and impounded.
Damage	Vehicle may be damaged by towing equipment or fire trucks navigating around illegally parked cars.
Delayed response time	Illegal parking blocks access for emergency vehicles, delaying response time in case of an emergency.
Injuries or fatalities	Illegal parking can lead to accidents or injuries if emergency vehicles cannot reach their destination in time.

Conclusion

If you found yourself doing any of these things, then don’t worry! It may just be that you haven’t learned proper driving skills yet.

With the right training and practice, you can fix all of these bad habits and become a safer driver.

Most importantly though, remember to stay calm while behind the wheel and focus on what matters most: your safety!

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about driving safety:

How can I avoid distracted driving?

To avoid distracted driving, it’s important to eliminate any potential distractions from within your vehicle. This can include turning off your phone, using a hands-free device if necessary, and avoiding eating or applying makeup while driving.

What should I do if I’m driving in inclement weather?

Driving in rain or snow requires extra caution and care. Make sure to slow down and increase the distance between your car and other vehicles. Use your headlights and signals, and avoid sudden turns or stops.

How can I improve my visibility when driving at night?

To improve your visibility when driving at night, make sure your headlights are working properly and aim them correctly. Keep your windshield clean, and avoid looking directly at the headlights of other vehicles.

What should I do if I get into a car accident?

If you get into a car accident, the first priority is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Call emergency services if necessary, and exchange information with the other driver. Make sure to document the accident as thoroughly as possible for insurance purposes.

How often should I have my car serviced?

To ensure your car is running safely and efficiently, it’s important to have it serviced regularly. Depending on the make and model of your car, you may need to have it serviced every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual or consult a mechanic for specific recommendations.