Are You Guilty of These Dangerous Driving Habits?

Around 75% of Americans self-rate their driving skills as “above average.” But 90% of auto accidents involve human error. With that statistic in mind, it’s clear that many drivers overrate their abilities behind the wheel, and that means they could be unknowingly putting themselves and others at risk.

There are many laws governing how drivers should act on Indiana’s roads. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always follow those laws to a “T.” In addition, many drivers may even be unaware of some laws and behaviors that significantly increase their risks of being involved in a crash.

Avoid These Risky Behaviors When You’re Behind the Wheel

Dangerous driving behaviors are those that push the limits of the law, your vehicle, and your driving ability. But they can also include small oversights and changes in behavior that you might not realize are dangerous at the time, including:

• Speeding (even when everyone else is doing it)—The “true” speed limit on highways and interstates is at least 5 MPH over the posted speed limit, right? Not if you want to be as safe as possible and avoid a ticket! It’s common to see drivers going well over the speed limit on Indiana’s motorways, but doing so yourself is still dangerous. If traffic is moving very fast, don’t try to keep up if it means speeding—instead, move to the far-right lane.
• Driving while distracted on any level—Distracted driving is often described as an epidemic, and texting while driving is often singled out for its devastating consequences. But distraction isn’t an all-or-nothing scenario. It can range from having your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off of driving, to just zoning out a little while driving. Don’t lose focus on the task at hand—take our Drop the Distraction Pledge today to keep Indiana’s roads safe.
• Letting a pet roam inside your vehicle—Who doesn’t love seeing a dog sticking its face out of a car window to enjoy the sunshine and breeze? Unfortunately, this adorable sight can be dangerous for the dog, the occupants inside the vehicle, and other motorists. Roaming pets inside vehicles aren’t just distracting, but they can interfere with normal operation of a vehicle. Pets can jump into drivers’ laps, change gears, or even interfere with gas and brake pedals.
• Driving while drowsy—Everyone knows how dangerous it is to drive while intoxicated or impaired. And yet many people get behind the wheel daily while heavily sleep deprived. When you aren’t well rested, your brain isn’t functioning at its best. And although many people take it for granted, driving is a complex task that requires intense focus and concentration—which are difficult or impossible when you’re sleepy.
• Weaving or constantly passing other vehicles—Fed up with slow drivers all around you? It can be tempting to change lanes, mash the accelerator, and pass to get out ahead of them. But doing so all the time can be considered “aggressive driving,” and it can increase your risk of a crash. Resist the temptation to pass unless the driver in front of you is going well under the speed limit. If you frequently find yourself pressed for time, try leaving your house earlier to give yourself more time to arrive.

We Help People Who Get Hurt by Negligent Drivers

Were you or someone you love recently hurt in a crash? If so, the Indiana car accident lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin want to help you get the money you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

When you call us, we’ll get all the facts of what happened and find out what crashed the crash, whether it was a blatant traffic law violation or a more subtle form of negligence. Then, we’ll work hard to prove to the insurance company that you didn’t cause the crash and need full compensation.

Contact us today for a free consultation. You owe us nothing unless we get money for you.