People often associate car crashes with egregious traffic violations. They think of drivers texting at the wheel or driving home after drinking liberal amounts of alcohol at a party. While drunk and distracted drivers do cause some of the worst crashes, many people cause collisions through seemingly minor decisions that they make on the road.
Little choices can potentially produce major consequences for a driver, especially if they consistently make unsafe decisions. The three habits below are among the most dangerous driving choices that may increase collision risk.
1. Exceeding the speed limit
Operating a vehicle at a speed over the posted limit or speeding is a very common traffic violation. Many people feel comfortable driving between five and nine miles an hour over the posted limit, they assume that police officers are unlikely to stop them for minor speed violations.
However, higher speeds increase stopping distance and can also impact the severity of a crash. Drivers whose speed can lose control and may end up declared at fault for a wreck because of their traffic habits.
2. Ignoring turn signals
Researchers have determined that approximately half of all drivers do not use their turn signals consistently. Many people never use them unless they notice a police officer near them in traffic.
Turn signal use is mandatory for a reason. It is a crucial form of communication between vehicles. Those who don’t alert others about an intention to turn or merge can cause crashes when they conduct maneuvers that others do not anticipate.
3. Performing rolling stops
Coming to a complete stop at every stop sign and red light can be very frustrating for people who are running late or who spend hours on the road for work every day. Unfortunately, rolling stops can be incredibly dangerous.
Drivers who do not come to a complete stop at a traffic light or stop sign may not properly monitor their surroundings. They might then proceed through an intersection when they should yield to another driver, which can lead to a preventable collision with major consequences.
Small habits can add up to major deficits while driving. Adjusting personal habits to limit crash risk and identifying high-risk behavior in others can help people drive more defensively.
Those involved in motor vehicle collisions caused by seemingly minor traffic violations may need to speak up about what led to the wreck. Holding another driver accountable for a crash is easier when the police report identifies their bad behavior as the main contributing factor.