Most people associate car crashes with overt misconduct and negligent behavior. Obviously, people who decide to drive after drinking or while under the influence of drugs put themselves and others at unnecessary risk. However, many collisions are the result of much smaller choices that may not seem quite as dangerous as drunk driving. The little habits that people develop over years of driving can undermine their overall safety and drastically increase their risk of causing a motor vehicle collision.
Researchers and motorists have identified an alarming uptick in unsafe driving habits in recent years. Drivers may want to evaluate their personal habits to see if they have developed any of these unsafe practices.
Speeding whenever possible
Speed limits exist not as a way for police departments to generate revenue by issuing tickets but instead to reduce the likelihood of preventable collisions. The speed limits imposed on different roads directly correlate to the risk of different types of crashes. Residential areas have low speed limits for the safety of pedestrians and any children living nearby. People who routinely exceed the speed limit put themselves at risk of not just a citation but also a preventable crash. The faster they travel, the worse the crashes they cause might be.
Choosing not to use turn signals
It takes a fraction of a second to activate a turn signal and appropriate distance before an intersection or prior to merging into another line of traffic on a multi-lane road. Unfortunately, many drivers choose not to signal consistently. They can then cause preventable collisions because others cannot predict what they intend to do in traffic. Consistently using turn signals, even when there is minimal traffic, can help people reduce their chances of causing preventable collisions.
Performing rolling stops
The need to come to a complete stop at every intersection and traffic light can frustrate some drivers. People often want to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Even stopping for a few seconds can seem inconvenient when drivers are in a rush. Particularly when they are in areas where they drive regularly and when traffic levels are low, motorists may not even think twice about rolling through an intersection or past a stop sign.
Identifying these unsafe habits can help people limit their risk of causing preventable crashes. Those involved in motor vehicle collisions caused by others with unsafe habits they have the option of pursuing compensation. Filing insurance claims or taking legal action can help people address the aftermath of a preventable collision.