Car driving is both a skill and a profession and like many activities, it becomes easier with practice. But things can go south fast, especially when drivers fail to follow safe driving standards. Errors, unplanned or otherwise can cause accidents, hurting drivers, passengers or pedestrians. Thankfully, accidents are avoidable. Let’s go through common driving errors and how you can avoid them.
Over-speeding
It’s only normal that over-speeding makes the list. The high adrenaline and action-like maneuvers seem fun at first. But you’re always several inches from an accident. Avoid such errors by staying in control and within legal speed limits. At high speeds, there’s almost always less time to think or avoid objects and other drivers.
Poor Use of Indicators
Heading into corners without minding the road and other drivers is a huge problem. Your indicators are important here and failure to use the proper one to switch lanes or enter new streets puts you and others in danger. Your indicators speak. They let other motorists know what you’re about to do: turn left or right.
Road Rage
You get cut-off on the highway by a novice driver and the next thing you know, your middle finger is hovering as you increase speed. Road rage makes you stressed and prone to irrational actions and accidents. Avoid such situations and if there’s provision for it, have such drivers reported.
Skipping the Lights
Whether green, yellow, or red, many drivers don’t care. They’d rather jump lights than wait for the go-ahead. This puts everyone in danger, driving or not. Learn what the lights mean and obey them to save lives. A few minutes can make all the difference.
High Beams Headlights
You wouldn’t want them flashed at you, so why do you have them? High beams put drivers and other road users in blind spots. If you must use them, know when to switch from high to low beam. Don’t make the mistake of going full blare for the sake of it.
Not Enough Distance Between Cars
It’s not Formula One and even if it was, safe distances are important. Whether that’s on the road or in parking lanes, adequate distance between the car in front and back is a helpful choice. A good rule is to keep a good distance not to bump against other vehicles when you apply the emergency brake.
Poor Maintenance Practices
Your car deserves the best treatments to function optimally. As a car owner, some practices will save you in the long run, including:
- Checking tyre pressure
- Engine oil and fluids
- Coolant
- Regular servicing
Failure to conduct maintenance can lead to costly repairs and potential issues on the road, which could put you and others in danger.
Final Words
Avoiding these common errors is only part of the process. A car in good condition is an advantage you shouldn’t overlook. Maintenance and other good practices will build your car’s durability and keep you safe. As a driver, you owe it to yourself and other road users to drive safely, obey traffic rules, and avoid errors. This article has shown you what they are and how you can avoid them.