10 dangerous driving habits and reducing risk on the road

6th May 2021

Dangerous driving habits can lead to major traffic accidents or a few points on your driving licence plus a penalty if being caught. A slight distraction or negligence can become a reason for you to have to deal with long hours of paperwork and unnecessary expenditures, so for that reason we wanted to share with you some of the dangerous driving habits and how to reduce the associated risks on the road.

Although using your mobile phone whilst driving is illegal, it has become a huge safety issue for many drivers. Texting, taking pictures, scrolling or playing video games takes your attention away from the road which can make you more vulnerable to get involved in an accident. If you can’t ignore a phone call or a text, pull over to a safe location before answering.

To find out why it’s so dangerous to use your cell phone whilst driving and what are the penalties, read our guidedownload (pdf( (Opens in new window)download (pdf(.

Speeding is a major contributor to road accidents. It can affect the safety of you and others even if you are driving at the speed limit but in an area where the road conditions are not appropriate e.g. bad weather, road being under maintenance or if there is little visibility. The faster the vehicle is moving, the more difficult is to stop, which decreases your ability to avoid an unexpected hazard.

Read our guide to find out what drivers can expect if caught breaking the speed limitdownload (pdf( (Opens in new window)download (pdf(.

Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you can be a dangerous habit. For example, if the vehicle stops suddenly and you are too close, you will not have enough time to react. Keeping a safe distance is highly recommended at any time. Always try to keep a 2 seconds gap between you and the vehicle in front, and at least 4 seconds in bad weather or road conditions.

Wearing a seat belt might not prevent an accident but it can protect you from serious injuries or it may even save your life. Seat belts can prevent you from being ejected from your vehicle during crash, as well as can keep you from receiving a fine and points on your driving licence for not wearing one.

You can be fined up to £500 and 3 penalty points on your driving licence for not wearing a seat belt.

Not only illegal drugs, but prescribed medicine can affect your driving ability and put you and others at risk. Check out our guide Drugs and Driving – The Law, to find out more information.

Alcohol consumption is another risk factor that can make us prone to accidents, as it slows down our reflexes and ability to react promptly enough to changing situations.

Of course, in all cases the best advice is simply not to drink at all. But note that, if you enjoy a good night out, that could mean allowing up to 12 hours or more between having your last drink and getting behind the wheel.

Traffic signs are very important for road safety, as they direct, inform and control the drivers’ behaviour. Therefore, knowing the meaning of the traffic signs is essential to keep you safe on the road.

This being said, it is also important to know and follow your obligations on the road e.g. signal to others of what you are planning to do next. Failing to indicate can cause a serious risk to the safety of other drivers or road users, yourself included.

If a warning light comes on you dashboard, it is important to act on it quickly in order to avoid further complications. Ignoring warning lights can be very dangerous because it can cause a further damage on your vehicle and put you and others at risk.

Driving tired can be extremely dangerous, as it has similar effects as driving under the influence of alcohol – it slows down your reaction, decreases your awareness and ability to control the vehicle. Read our guide to find out what the dangers of driving when tired are and how to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.

Sometimes drivers or pedestrians make mistakes which result in impolite driving manoeuvres, which can lead to anger from other frustrated drivers. Kindness is probably not one of the words that might come to mind when you think about driving, especially while being stuck in traffic, or when someone has shown little courtesy by cutting you up, however a short temper can put you and others at risk. Check out some of the tips on how to be more courteous driver and help reduce the thread of road rage on our roadsdownload (pdf( (Opens in new window)download (pdf(.

In order to avoid the need of last minute breaking, it’s important to consistently look at the road ahead of you. Braking harshly can cause an accident especially if the driver behind you fails to respond on time. Reducing harsh braking may lower the risk of accidents and prevent increased maintenance issues.

Poor vehicle maintenance will not only lead to costly repairs and more regular faults, but it can also be a reason for road accidents. For example accidents can be caused by brake failure due to brakes not being regularly serviced or brake pads changed.

Read our guide to find out how to improve safety levels and unscheduled downtime with a vehicle walk around checkdownload (pdf( (Opens in new window)download (pdf(.

Driving a van? Then click here to find out more information about the daily checks that you should carry out inside and outside your van to make sure it’s roadworthy.

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