The scene is all too familiar. You're driving home on the highway and you spot a guy driving like a maniac. You shake your head and wonder what's wrong with him as you thank your lucky stars that you spotted him fast enough to get out of the way.
So what's wrong with him? He's human, and he thinks he's a great driver. That's what's wrong with him. But don't saddle up that high horse; you're probably just as bad yourself. In a 2003 driving poll conducted by The National Safe Driving Test, 91% of all drivers admitted to engaging in risky driving behavior over a six-month span. So, the next time you mutter something about that maniac on the road, remember that there's a good chance someone has said the same thing about you.
As a guy, there's an even greater likelihood that you're a dangerous driver -- the same poll suggested that women are 11% less likely than men to engage in risky driving. That's why it's important to start protecting yourself from yourself by looking out for warning signs. Although many of them seem obvious, drivers often fail to register that they are reckless behind the wheel.
Here are some signs that suggest that you're a dangerous driver. To help you grade yourself, I've included a rating system as a guide. The system is rated on a scale of one to five, with one marking the least dangerous behavior and five being the most dangerous. A five accompanies something that you should never do, while a one marks something that may not be perceived as reckless, but can still lead to an accident on the road.
moving violations
Moving violations are probably the most obvious warning sign that you're a danger behind the wheel. Safe driving starts with cutting down on moving violations.You roll through stop signs
In California, we call it a "California Stop," a misnomer because you don't actually come to a complete stop. A lot of people simply slow down, check for traffic, and then proceed. But remember that the sign there to protect you. Coming to a complete stop is the only way to be certain that there is no oncoming traffic. That may seem like obvious advice, but a full 87% of surveyed drivers felt that there was no need to stop, providing the intersection was clear.Danger rating: 4
You drive too fast
Speed kills. There are no two ways about it. Speeding is responsible for 30% of all fatal crashes and, according to the poll, 71% of us do it. Some guys like to drive fast and others only speed when they're late; neither reason makes doing so safe.Danger rating: 4
You fail to keep up with traffic
You might think that you will always be safe if you drive slowly, but unfortunately, that's not the case. Driving is all about expectations. Other drivers expect you to stay in your lane, signal, and keep up with the flow of traffic. If you're going too slow, even if you're still above the limit, people behind you will scramble to pass you. This could easily lead to an accident.Danger rating: 3
You tailgate
At 60 miles per hour, the average car requires between 120 and 160 feet to come to a complete stop. To avoid risking an accident by tailgating someone else, maintain that safety distance and increase it when driving at higher speeds. If you're the one being tailgated, change lanes when it's safe. Don't slam on your breaks to teach the guy behind you a lesson -- it could easily backfire on you.Danger rating: 5
You repeatedly change lanes
Lanes are there for a reason: to allow drivers to pass their slower counterparts on the left . If you drive like you're in a NASCAR race, chances are you'll eventually wreck. Each lane has its purpose. The right lane of the highway is for entering and exiting vehicles, the center lanes are for cruising, and the extreme left lane is for passing.Danger rating: 3
You run yellow lights
30% of drivers say that they run red or yellow lights. Traffic lights are not optional, and you never know what the guy on the other side of the intersection is thinking, so abide by the lights.Danger rating: 3
You don't check blind spots
If you talk to a friend who has been in an accident, there's a good chance he'll say that the other driver, "came out of nowhere." Of course, the guy didn't come out of nowhere. In fact, he was right nearby! However, you can't always see everything that you need to, which is why you must check your blind spots often.Danger rating: 3
You race with other drivers
Playing games is the last thing you want to do behind the wheel. Macho driving games are best played on your Xbox, not on the road. If you're getting into racing instead of just driving, you're mixing speed with a loss of focus on what's going on around you -- a very dangerous combination.Danger rating: 5
You don't wear driving glasses
If you need prescription glasses, wear them. And even if you don't need prescription glasses, you shouldn't neglect your eyes. We all need a shield from the sun, and the visor just isn't enough. If you squint, you'll miss something, so be sure to keep a pair of sunglasses in the car at all times.Danger rating: 3
etiquette
How you treat your fellow motorists is almost as important as how you drive. Good driving etiquette creates safer roads.You give in to road rage
Half of all bad drivers surveyed by Insure.com admitted to using obscene language or gestures while driving. This kind of behavior is dangerous, causing drivers to drive with emotion rather than skill and reason. You want the guy in front of you driving with a level head.Danger rating: 3
You don't use your signals
Some guys think that using the turn signal just puts other drivers on notice to speed up and cut you off. The truth is that signaling should be imperative. Doing so alerts drivers to your presence and intents, so that you can safely change lanes. A failure to do so catches them off guard, causing them to lose focus and potentially forcing them to innovate on the road.Danger rating: 2
You don't let cars merge
When it comes to merging or allowing a lane change, the best policy is to be polite. Not only is it nice to have a courteous road, but it's also a lot safer. Letting other drivers cut in front of you will ease congestion and only cost you a car length.Danger rating: 2
focus on the road
Driving is primarily concerned with operating a vehicle. Yet, that point is surprisingly lost on many of us. Too often, we allow ourselves to become distracted while driving.You multitask behind the wheel
77% of us talk on the phone while driving, 60% of us use our commutes for a meal or drink break and a whopping 93% of us listen to the radio behind the wheel. While it's certainly possible to drive and do something else at the same time, it's just not safe to divide your focus between the road and an ulterior task. Don't listen to music too loud, keep your channel surfing to a minimum, use a hands-free device for your cell, and keep your eating and drinking to a minimum. Give the road all your attention.Danger rating: 2
You get distracted by passengers
It's easy to get distracted when there's someone else in the car with you. But the simple fact is that talking to your passengers isn't a harmless occupation. You can be polite and have a great chat, but driving isn't really the time or the place to have those serious talks, or to occupy yourself with trying to control the kids.Danger rating: 2
You drive while tired
More than 25% of all collisions result from driver fatigue. A tired driver is an unsafe driver. Avoid putting yourself in a risky situation by getting plenty of rest before hitting the road and paying attention to how you feel when you're on it. Whenever possible, avoid driving at night, or limit night trips to short distances.Danger rating: 5
You get distracted by bystanders
We've all driven down the street and seen a hot woman walking. That's a pretty good sight, if you ask me. But it's also a bad driving habit to ogle after her. If you're looking at her, you're not looking at the road.Danger rating: 3
road safety
Nobody is asking you to be perfect on the road. Accidents happen. But most can be prevented. Keep these tips in mind and you'll reduce your risk of a collision.Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/us/0305/infographic.driving.stats/frameset.2.exclude.html
http://www.car-accidents.com/pages/stats/2000_killed.html
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/Insureyourcar/P41964.asp
http://www.commuter-register.org/crdrive.html
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/blind.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19262
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