How to Drive Safely: Breaking Bad Habits

When drivers get comfortable with the day-to-day challenges of driving, it’s easy to slip into bad habits behind the wheel. Those bad habits can cause accidents or injuries, so it’s good to keep a few quick behavior checks at the top of your mind.

Here are a few habits you can change today:

1. Focus on the Road

When you’re driving, taking your eyes off the road to use your cell phone can be a huge risk for you — and for other drivers. When you text, talk on the phone, or take selfies from behind the wheel, it is called distracted driving, and it can lead to dangerous consequences. In fact, in 2019, over 3,100 people were killed during “distracted driving” accidents, including things like using their phone, eating, or otherwise not paying attention to the road.

It can be hard to ignore the sound of incoming messages, but it’s important to focus on your drive. Try to remember to keep your hands on the steering wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on your trip. Distracted driving is risky driving — and we want every journey to end with you getting home safe.

2. Give Other Drivers Some Space

Following another car too closely is more than just an unsafe behavior — in some places, it is illegal! How much space to you should leave between you and the car in front of you will vary, depending on weather, the road speed, and other factors. A quick tip is to count to three: wait until the car ahead of you passes a particular spot on the road, then count to three; if you pass that same spot before you reach three, you’re following too closely.

3. Stay in Your Lane

Being safe during a lane change means following several steps: use your turn signal, check your windows and mirrors for other vehicles or obstructions, wait for a large enough gap in traffic, and smoothly adjust your speed before entering the lane. When you’re driving in heavy traffic, these steps often come without thinking, as they are the only way to safely switch lanes.

When you’re in light traffic, though, it’s easy to forget or skip a step. Even if it does not cause an accident, drifting out of your lane without a signal is sure to get you honked at or possibly spark a road rage incident. The safe bet is to practice good habits, use your turn signal, and stay alert.

4. Watch Your Speed

We all know that you should never drive over the speed limit, but how often do you feel yourself creeping up the speedometer to match the traffic around you? The facts tell us that speeding accounts for almost one-quarter of all fatal road accidents, and it’s easy to understand why. Driving faster increases your likelihood of a crash, but it’s also tied to aggressive and distracted driving, disrupts the flow of traffic, and makes the results of any collision much more severe.

On the flip side, driving too slowly can be just as dangerous — and even against the law! We recommend paying attention to the posted signage on any road and being mindful of road conditions to stay with the flow of traffic.  Speed limits are there to keep you and your passengers safe, as well as the other drivers that may be nearby. 

As they say at Nationwide, “That appointment you’re late for can wait. Abide by the speed limit.”

5. Keep Your Eyes Open

Did you know that driving when you’re tired or sleepy can have the same effect as drunk driving? This means things like decreased situational awareness, slow reaction times, and poorer decision-making on your drive. Even if it’s only for a brief moment, falling asleep behind the wheel can be fatal for you and the others on the road.

If you’re in the habit of driving while fatigued, it’s important to remember how risky that behavior is, and the great ways you can re-energize yourself before getting in your vehicle. Consider listening to music, opening a window for fresh air, or even pulling over to get a quick nap before attempting to drive again. Make sure you are awake and alert enough to be aware of your surroundings and think clearly.

Everyone Needs A Reminder Sometimes.

Here’s your reminder: driving safely means taking responsibility for your choices in your vehicle, and that means everything from how you drive to how you feel on the road. Know the risks of driving while distracted or fatigued, and take time to remember the little things that keep you safe. And if you do end up getting pulled over, there’s always TurnSignl to protect your rights and get you home safe!

Download the TurnSignl app today on iOS or Android to get quick, on-demand guidance from an attorney during accidents and traffic stops. Chat face-to-face in real time, and record a video of the interaction.