Millions of us drive every day, but even the most skilled drivers can fall into dangerous habits that compromise everyone on the road. Whether it’s hanging out in blind spots, not paying attention to the big picture (like watching the road 10 feet in front of you), or following too closely, these bad driving habits can cause crashes, even if you’ve been on the road for years. Ignoring blind spots, not maintaining a safe speed, and failing to follow too closely can all be subtle signs that you’ve been driving longer than you should and that you need to change your driving habits.

Building awareness, patience, and knowledge goes a long way in improving your driving habits and keeping everyone safer on the roads. There are many things drivers can be doing to prevent a crash, from giving plenty of space in between vehicles to and from other cars, or simply taking their time and not rushing. By acknowledging specific mistakes all motorists are guilty of and how to prevent them, drivers are sure to become much safer drivers in no time.

1. Distracted Driving

A driver can have their mind on something other than the road when they are behind the wheel and distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of accidents in this nation. So, whether they are trying to find a text or program in their GPS while taking a bite of food or their eyes are leaving the road to check something on their phone, distracted driving can quite often cause that driver to miss a red light or the person crossing the road in a crosswalk or that stop sign while driving down the road. Many drivers think they can do more than one thing at a time while driving, but they really can’t.

Distracted Driving Safety Tips:

• Put your phone away
• Set navigation before driving
• Avoid eating while driving
• Keep your eyes forward
• Focus on surrounding traffic

Put your mobile phone away before leaving the house. Adjust your navigator, favorite music or MP3 and you won’t keep your nose in the window as soon as you’re on the road. Avoid eating or looking for things or else not to do distracting things to the driver. Even an apparently seemingly “innocent” behavior will make you deviate your attention at critical moments. Drive focused on the road, your car, pedestrians, its corners and highways. Slow down and become used to driving without distractions so that you see more events and are able to respond quickly.

2. Following Other Vehicles Too Closely

When you are too close to the car in front of you, you have less distance to react if he or she stops suddenly. This can be dangerous at high speeds, in traffic, and on wet or icy roads. Most drivers do not realize how far they need to stop to avoid a crash especially when they are driving fast. When the car in front of you brakes suddenly, there is time to respond, but if you are too close, you may not have enough time to steer away to avoid the vehicle.

Safe Following Distance Tips:

• Maintain three-second following distance
• Increase space during rain
• Allow extra room behind trucks
• Avoid driving too closely
• Adjust distance for conditions

As a rough guide, keeping three seconds’ space between you and the vehicle in front in normal driving conditions allows plenty of space to stop safely. Select a fixed point such as a roadside feature, and when the vehicle in front passes it, count to three before you pass the same point. You should allow more space in bad weather conditions, such as rain, fog, snow or traffic conditions that might involve slower speeds. Also allow extra space when following a large vehicle that restricts your view of the road ahead. Never keep less than this just because a vehicle is following you closely.

3. Ignoring Blind Spots

These are areas you can’t see in a mirror. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you could potentially have a car, a motorcycle, a cyclist or a pedestrian in a blind spot and not even realize it. 7. You should check your mirrors before you change lanes or merge. Because mirrors are an important tool for any driving task, they often provide us with critical information about surrounding traffic, but this doesn’t mean they can show us everything.

Blind Spot Safety Tips:

• Adjust mirrors before driving
• Check mirrors before changing lanes
• Look over your shoulder
• Use turn signals consistently
• Watch nearby road users

Use your mirrors to look over your shoulder When you start driving, before you change gears, make sure you can see the roads around you clearly in your mirrors. Use your rear-view and side mirrors to see if there are any vehicles behind you or nearby. Look over your shoulder for a short time if you can do this safely to see if there are any vehicles, motorcycles or cyclists in your blind spot. Use your indicator to show other drivers if you are turning or changing lanes. Look around you in your mirrors and over your shoulder, so you can see what’s in your blind spots.

4. Driving Too Fast for Road Conditions

The posted speed limit may not be the appropriate safe speed for your road of travel at any given time. Rain, fog, limited visibility, traffic, curves in the road and poor conditions of the road surface are factors for any road condition for determining the appropriate speed. If you are going faster than the conditions can handle, you may not be able to react in time to avoid a hazard or be in control of your vehicle as you drive down the road.

Road Condition Speed Tips:

• Slow down in rain
• Reduce speed in fog
• Approach sharp curves carefully
• Follow changing traffic conditions
• Respect posted speed limits

Slow down when the road or visibility is poor. Before you approach a sharp bend, slow down rather than brake while you are already turning. Make sure you adjust your speed to the amount of traffic and space you have around you, when the vehicles in front of you are reducing speed or the traffic is becoming congested. Slow down on wet or slippery roads as your vehicle may need to stop further away for you to be able to brake safely. Maintain the legal speed limit although this is a maximum only, it might not always be safe to stick to this.

5. Using Turn Signals Incorrectly

Turn signals are an important safety feature because they enable other drivers to see your intentions well in advance of the time that your vehicle actually makes the turn or merge. Yet, many drivers either neglect to operate turn signals altogether, operate the turn signals too late, or forget to turn the signals off after completing the turn. All of these errors can lead to motor vehicle accidents, especially at intersections and when changing lanes. In addition, other drivers depend on turn signals to give cues as to what other drivers are going to do, so they can respond accordingly if signals are not working, other drivers may not have enough time to react.

Correct Turn Signal Habits:

• Signal before making turns
• Activate indicators early enough
• Check mirrors before maneuvering
• Watch surrounding traffic carefully
• Cancel signals after turning

Use your indicator early enough so that any drivers behind you have time to see the indication and respond. Indicators should be activated before any turn at an intersection, when changing lanes and for all turns. After activating your indicator but before turning / changing lanes look in your mirrors and blind spots to check you can still perform the turn / lane change safely. Do not leave your indicator on until the last minute as this does not allow others time to respond, and remember to turn the indicator off again afterwards if it does not turn off automatically.

6. Failing to Check Mirrors Regularly

Mirrors can tell us what is happening behind our vehicle and to the sides, the traffic in the lanes next to us and the general space around our vehicle. If you do not frequently glance at your mirrors, you will not see the developing hazard or movement in traffic, especially when it is most important, prior to braking, turning, or changing lanes, as the vehicle behind you may be closer than you thought. However, focusing on your mirrors too much can take your attention away from what is in front of your vehicle. The trick is to develop a habitual check that gives you valuable information without taking your attention away from what is in front of your vehicle.

Regular Mirror Checking Tips:

• Check mirrors throughout your journey
• Observe traffic approaching from behind
• Look before changing lanes
• Recheck surroundings before turning
• Stay focused on the road

Always keep an eye on the rear and side when you look into the mirrors too often but always focus on the road ahead. Get accustomed to the different applications of the mirrors by watching before applying the brake, turning or changing your lane to assess the speed and position of vehicles around you. Always check again after the situation of individual cars have changed, such as the approaching intersection or when you are on a busy road. Do not obsess to watch your mirror because this may hide the feature in front of you. When you switch your lane, make sure to use the mirror together with the outside to look out window.

7. Braking Too Late

Late braking causes sharp brakes, crashes and loss of stability. And it increases the risk of blow. This mistake is common to those who do not prepare for traffic lights, heavy traffic or an increase in the speed of the vehicle. Instead of seeing everything in a wide shot, they notice only when they are already close to the risk zone. Although in some cases you cannot avoid a sudden brake, many other times you can manage this situation better through anticipation and the progressive reduction of the speed of the vehicle. Anticipating the movement of other vehicles allows you to brake smoothly and coherently.

Safe Braking Techniques:

• Look ahead while driving
• Anticipate upcoming traffic signals
• Watch for slowing vehicles
• Release accelerator before braking
• Apply brakes smoothly when possible

Look as far ahead as you can see, as opposed to directly ahead of your vehicle. Observe the distribution of red traffic signals, accesses, congestion and vehicles slowing and the speed of the vehicles in your immediate vicinity. When anticipating the need to brake, whenever possible, ease off the accelerator pedal and allow your vehicle to decelerate at a smooth rate. By anticipating the requirement to brake you will have more time to consider and react to conditions thus reducing unnecessary braking, reducing vehicle instability and the potential to be rear ended by a vehicle being forced to stop abruptly.

8. Changing Lanes Without Checking Properly

Moving from one lane to another is not as simple as flicking the turn indicator and turning the steering wheel. Drivers need to be aware of the flow of traffic, front and rear, their own blind spots, their speed, and the space available in the lane into which they are moving. Without adequate checks before a lane change, it’s possible to forcing vehicles behind to brake harshly or cause a crash themselves. Even if a driver thinks a vehicle in the adjacent lane is far enough away, traffic can close quickly on busy roads and highways. Communication and observation are the keys to lane-changing safety.

Safe Lane Changing Tips:

• Check mirrors before moving
• Signal your intention early
• Observe the relevant blind spot
• Maintain sufficient space
• Change lanes smoothly

Change lanes safely Look in your mirror and be certain you want to change lane and move into an adjacent lane, signal well before to warn the other drivers and show you intend to change lanes. Watch the rear of your car, turn your head to see if the road is free in the blind spot. Remember to check there is enough room to get into the next lane, so you can increase your speed without having to force the vehicle in front to slow down or brake. Change gears into the lane easily with a straight steering wheel, look out for the other driver and move to prevent them from having to brake.

9. Underestimating Stopping Distance

Stopping distance is the measurement of the length of a space occupied by a car from the time a driver recognizes a hazard, to the time the car comes to a complete stop. It is a combination of both reaction distance and braking distance. Too many drivers are unaware of the total distance a vehicle travels, especially when they are driving at a faster speed. Factors that include driving conditions, wet roads, poor vehicle condition, and misreads can also require a longer time for a vehicle to be able to fully stop. If drivers are not factoring in these components, they are getting too close to vehicles.

Stopping Distance Safety Tips:

• Maintain a safe following distance
• Reduce speed near hazards
• Check tire condition regularly
• Keep brakes properly maintained
• Allow more space at speed

Increse your following distance and slow down before hazards, intersections and traffic congestion-conditions that can cause traffic to slow suddenly. You need to be aware of the condition of the road and your visibility as well, since your stopping distance is significantly longer if the pavement is wet. Ensure your tires and brakes are functioning properly to respond promptly when you do need to brake. Give yourself extra time to stop when traveling at high speed-you’ll need it to come to a complete stop. Maintain a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you, even if traffic is moving at a consistent new-speeding up or slowing-down takes a lot longer to come to a complete stop.

10. Driving While Tired

Will it make you crash? Yes. This is because it can impair your reactions, you will take a longer time to make decisions when driving, your driving quality will be affected, you will find it difficult to control your speed, miss out traffic signs and be blind to hazards. On serious cases, the driver can loose partial or total control over the vehicle due to a “microsleeps” which is an uncontrollable sleep without a warning occurring in the middle of a drive. Tiredness can affect your driving and you might not even realize that you are affected. Learn how to identify the signs of tiredness before and during a trip.

Fatigue Prevention Tips:

• Get sufficient sleep beforehand
• Take breaks during journeys
• Share driving duties when possible
• Stop when concentration decreases
• Rest in a safe location

Make sure you are well rested before embarking on a long journey and don’t drive when you are feeling completely exhausted. If you’re on the road for a long period of time, you may need to pause in order to get refreshed and focused. If there is someone else driving with you who is also responsible, take shifts. Watch for some signs that you are feeling sleepy like heavy eyelids, losing the ability to focus and having trouble concentrating on the road around you. Pull over at a safe location and get some rest if you start to experience any of these things instead of forcing yourself to stay alert with music or open window.

11. Using Headlights Incorrectly

Your car’s headlights are designed to help you see at night and make your car visible to others on the road. But if used incorrectly they may actually make it harder for you to see, or cause glaringly bright, blinding light to be directed at another car driver. Many car drivers are in the habit of driving with lights off in dull conditions and of not dipping their high beam lights when there is oncoming traffic both of which makes it much harder for other drivers to judge what the road conditions are and to take the necessary avoiding action.

Proper Headlight Usage Tips:

• Use lights in poor visibility
• Switch to low beams
• Avoid unnecessary high beam use
• Keep headlights clean regularly
• Check rear light visibility

You should switch on your headlights when visibility is reduced and in some places it’s a legal requirement. When driving in other vehicles’ presence, make sure to dip your headlight beams to avoid dazzling the driver that’s passing by or coming towards you. Ensure your headlights have been cleaned before you set off and are in working order should you drive through areas of reduced visibility. If you are a driver with daytime running lights it’s all too easy to assume this will make your tail lights flash but this is not always the case so you may need to switch to your headlights accordingly.

12. Ignoring Road Signs and Markings

Road signs and markings provide the following information speed limits, priority for the next driver or whether or not the driver will have priority at the junction, which direction each of the lanes go in, where the pedestrian crossing begins, what is the next possible danger. Not paying attention to them at a roundabout or junction can be dangerous and confusing, or simply cause a driver to unwittingly commit a road traffic offence. As most drivers frequently travel on the same road or roads, they know what to expect, so pay less attention to road signs or road markings, which can be dangerous or may land the driver in the wrong lane or tell them to expect a road hazard.

Road Sign Awareness Tips:

• Watch signs before reaching them
• Follow lane markings carefully
• Observe posted speed limits
• Notice temporary road restrictions
• Check directions while safely stopped

Look at the signs before you approach the road then you have enough time to process the message and act on it. Follow directions when provided with signs and pavement markings or speed limit indicators instead of trying to reach for the controls at the last second. If the road is temporary closed for any reason or there are signs that don’t quite reflect the road you’re used to, make sure you allow enough time to make proper decisions before making a move. If possible pull over in a safe spot to check for any speed restrictions or information provided by a GPS device.

13. Merging Onto a Highway Incorrectly

Some may find the crossing on highway car intimidating because of the dense traffic already in the road. Car crossing of the highway if made at a very low speed will lead to disturbance of the traffic and the chances of accidents may increase, jerky fast forward movement or blocking any one or more of the road lanes without leaving adequate space and taking care of the car coming from behind or already present in the lane you want to cross may lead to accidents to those cars. Cross the highway car may demand a judicious look for the available space and judicious acceleration.

Highway Merging Safety Tips:

• Observe traffic before merging
• Build speed on entrance ramps
• Check mirrors and blind spots
• Signal before entering traffic
• Choose a suitable gap

When approaching the bottom of the ramp, stop and wait for oncoming traffic in the highway traffic lane. Make sure to wait for an opening in the highway traffic lane before merging. If you can, accelerate in the acceleration/ deceleration lane to your desired speed level before entering the traffic lane. Be sure to check the mirror and the blind-spot to determine what your merging will do to other drivers. Signal the turn then watch for an opening, accelerate to your desired speed level, and then merge into the lane in front of the flowing traffic without impeding other drivers. Never force traffic to slow to meet your speed level.

14. Driving Aggressively

Aggressive driving is another behavior to avoid. This behavior involves several risk factors that can increase the chance for an accident to occur, such as following too close (tailgating), going well over the speed limit, making aggressive maneuvers on the road, changing lane without due cause over and over again, and aggressive reaction to other drivers. These risk factors on the road can quickly escalate small problems into dangerous ones, and impatient drivers are far more likely to risk taking an unnecessary risk. Aggression on the road can also stimulate other drivers to act aggressively which can lead to an accident.

Calm Driving Habits:

• Remain patient in traffic
• Avoid competing with drivers
• Maintain sufficient vehicle space
• Ignore unnecessary road provocation
• Allow extra travel time

Don’t become frustrated and go your way slow on a slow moving traffic while being aware that don’t go past other vehicles when on the road. There should be a little gap between you and the car ahead of you to give you more time to find a gap when you want to lane change and there are road hoggers that try to pick up an argument with you, so steer away from the rude aggressive vehicles if any of them are trying to stalk and stalk you on the road. Take your time for your commute so you don’t get irritated due to the traffic. Do not drive rashly as overtaking the rush hour will cause an accident.