Vehicle accidents happen every single day, and sadly, many can be avoided easily if drivers involved practice good driving habits to avoid common driving mistakes. To avoid serious accidents, driving schools talk about many driving mistakes you should be aware of that can potentially put you, your passengers, and the people on the road in danger. Once you are aware of these mistakes, it will be much easier for you to correct them and drive safely.
Here are the most common driving errors that a driving school states people can make and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Driving being Distracted
Using smartphones while driving is one of the most common and serious driving mistakes. Whether you are checking your social media account or eating your burger, driving with distraction is a surefire way to endanger yourself and end up in an accident. These kinds of accidents can impact teenagers in large numbers, but they can have an impact on adults, too.
According to Driving School Toronto, if you drive with your full attention on the road other drivers are needed. If you look away or look down, you can easily drift off to another lane, run off the road, or run into other vehicles.
You can avoid such habits by going hands-free with your smartphone or pulling over before attending to any calls. In case you have to eat, finish your meal before you begin to drive so that you can focus on the road.
2. Speeding
When it comes to vehicle crashes, speeding is one of the top reasons behind it. You might be tempted to speed when you are late for an important, but speeding can result in an accident or traffic ticket.
Make sure that you stick to the posted speed limit and maintain it until you reach your destination. Do not try to outpace any driver on the road or engage in drag racing. In case you have cruise control, make the most of it to maintain proper speed.
As you speed, it is more difficult to come to a safe stop when you have to. The issue is amplified in inclement weather. Thus, you need to avoid speeding at all costs to avoid serious crashes. In case you are worried about being late to your destination, make sure you leave a little early so that you have enough time in hand.
3. Failure to Use Turn Signal
One of the most common driving mistakes as laid down by a driving school Scarborough is not using your turn signal. As you change or turn lanes, this simple act is important to ensuring your safety. A quick turn signal is an ideal way to inform the other drivers on the road about your next move.
If you use your turn signal, you are alerting other drivers about your intentions which gives them time to accommodate you change lanes or turn a corner. In case you do not use it, no one will know that you are planning to slow down and head or turn for a different lane on the highway which means they can hit you accidentally.
Make sure you are always using the turn signal, even if there is no one behind you to ensure it becomes a habit.
4. Slower Reaction Times
Your reaction time is the amount of time you take to react after realizing that you have to turn a corner, come to a stop, or avoid an accident on the road. With age, your reaction time might start to slow down, but various other factors impact this essential element of safe driving.
Individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will have a slower reaction time, which can lead to a crash. Anyone with a medical condition might have slower reaction times. Don’t get behind the wheel when you are under the influence of anything. Also, make sure you maintain enough distance between your car and the car that’s in front of you.
It is important to plan your route ahead of time and avoid getting behind the wheel if you are sick or taking medications that can impact your ability to make swift decisions.
5. Poor Steering Wheel Techniques
Your vehicle depends on you to maintain its course, but using poor steering techniques can lead to unfavorable outcomes. Many drivers opt to drive with just one hand or neglect to practice proper steering techniques altogether.
If you do not have a firm grip on the wheel, it is easier to lose control of your vehicle and crash your vehicle. At times, drivers tend to hook the wheel. This entails not utilizing both hands and positioning one’s forearm facing upward while gripping the wheel with only one hand. It’s a hazardous and inefficient method of safely steering a vehicle.
While the traditional 10 and 2 hand position was once standard practice, modern driving instructors now advocate for placing your hands at the 9 and 3 positions instead. This updated method offers improved control over your vehicle and enhances your ability to maintain your lane effectively. By adopting this new hand position, you gain better maneuverability while ensuring your hands remain on the wheel. Additionally, it provides safer clearance for the airbag in the event of deployment.
