3 Driving Habits That Increase Your Chances Of Being In A Car Accident

While being on the road at all opens you up to the possibility of being in some type of car accident, there are certain habits or behaviors that can make getting in a car accident even more likely for you. Luckily, many of these things are habits that can easily be changed in order to be a safer driver every time you get behind the wheel.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three driving habits that increase your chances of being in a car accident.

Distracted Driving

One of the biggest reasons people find themselves getting into a car accident that’s their fault is that they were driving while distracted. In today’s world, there are so many things that can distract us from the task at hand while driving. The trick here is to know how to keep those distractions at bay and give the road your complete and undivided attention.

According to Mila Araujo, a contributor to The Balance, some of the most common distractions that people participate in when driving are texting, talking on their phone, watching videos on their smartphones, eating, grooming, or having distracting passengers. With many of these things, simply make the decision to keep your phone out of arm’s reach or not getting behind the wheel until you’re completely ready for your day can work wonders for keeping you safer while driving.

Driving Too Fast For Conditions

Most people don’t necessarily enjoy spending time in the car. Because of this, they often find themselves rushing around to get to where they need to be as quickly as possible. And while it’s usually good to be efficient, when you’re driving a car, safety should really be your top priority.

But when you’re more concerned with getting to your destination quickly than you are with getting there safely, you put yourself and others at risk. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32 percent of fatal car accidents could be attributed to the driver driving too fast for the conditions. So whether you’re not staying within the speed limit or you’re not taking questionable road conditions seriously, speeding will almost always result in a bad outcome.

Overall Recklessness

In connection with speeding, many people also find that their patience waxes thin when they’re behind the wheel. As a result of this, you might find yourself make reckless driving maneuvers that put everyone on the roads in danger.

According to Benjamin Preston, a contributor to Road And Track, reckless driving includes things like swerving, weaving, passing, drastic braking or accelerating, and more. If you participate in these driving habits, you’re taking on more risk than necessary when it comes to getting in a car accident.

To help keep yourself and others safe when you’re on the road, consider curbing any of the habits mentioned above that you might fall victim to from time to time.