Driving a motor vehicle is not as easy as it may seem. A good driver is one who is steady, cautious, and perseverant. He has complete control over his vehicle at all times on the road. A bad driving experience can ruin your day. It can cause heavy financial impacts in the form of speeding tickets or damage to the vehicle or, in the worst case scenario, lead to fatal accidents. Manoeuvring a moving vehicle on busy roads can be a dangerous business. Therefore, we have listed below the top good driving habits as well as the bad ones to keep in mind before you take the road.

Good Driving Habits

Regulating Speed

Who does not want to reach their destinations a little sooner? However, speeding increases the risk of getting a speeding ticket or, worse, getting into an accident. More than 70% of the accidents that occur on roads are the result of vehicles being accelerated beyond specified limits. Regardless of whether you live in a city or in the countryside, it is imperative to regulate the speed of your car so that at any given point in time, you remain in complete control of it.

Avoiding cell phones

Using a cell phone while driving reduces reaction time by 20%, at least. It is not just about using cell phones. Trying to juggle driving with eating, applying make-up, or even chatting with fellow drivers and passengers can increase the chance of causing accidents. Avoiding gadgets altogether is one of the good driving habits one can inculcate.

Driving while relaxed

Yes, tiredness is also one of the most prominent causes of road accidents. A little drowsiness may seem harmless in the beginning; however, it has been observed that accidents can be caused by drivers simply falling asleep for a few seconds or zoning out and losing control of the steering wheel.  Losing control for even a couple of seconds on the highway can lead to fatal accidents. The solution is easy. If you drive your car daily, ensure that you get proper sleep every day before you begin a day behind the wheel. If you feel tired and dizzy at the end of the day, park your car somewhere safe and catch public transport to get home or ask a friend to drive you down.

Similarly, if you are going through trauma or any kind of mental disturbance on the personal or professional front, refrain from sitting behind the wheel. It is definitely not one of the good driving habits.

Remaining extra cautious during bad weather

Driving on icy roads is not easy. The best way to deal with this is to reduce the speed limit to about 10 or 15 miles per hour below the limit unless you stop feeling iffy. Black ice is also a menace, and therefore, if you notice the headlights of your vehicle reflect on the road, slow down as much as you can. Ensure that there is a minimum of 80 to 100 yards of distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. If your skids, gently turn the steering wheel in the same direction after you have taken your foot off the brakes. This way, the vehicle can rectify the skid and straighten itself. Always turn on the fog lights during foggy days. Such good driving habits will take you a long and safe way.

Wearing seat belts

One of the foremost important aspects of forming good driving habits is to wear seat belts. They are important because they prevent the driver and the passengers from being flung around inside the crashing vehicle during an accident or, worse, being hurled out of the vehicle through the windshield. More than half of road accidents would have a lesser impact on humans if everyone wore their seatbelts, even if they were driving down to the local shopping park. If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, it does not make wearing seat belts less of an option. Using airbags and seat belts together forms the best way to protect the driver from fatal injuries during car crashes.

Bad Driving Habits

Failing to use indicators

Failing to indicate is considered to be one of the most prevalent and hated driving habits. How many times have we encountered less courteous drivers speeding turns without using appropriate indicators? Signalling to fellow vehicles about the turns you intend to take is extremely crucial for fellow drivers as well as pedestrians. 

Accelerating when the traffic signal turns amber

No matter where you have to reach and how soon, refrain from accelerating through yellow lights. Indication of the amber light means that the traffic is about to stop. This is the time when you should drive with caution at your current speed, prepare to slow down and stop the vehicle if the traffic indicator turns red. Such measures are better than causing sudden collisions with other vehicles.

Parking in inappropriate or illegal areas

Inappropriate parking in handicapped spaces can cause car parks to be crowded and cause chaos for other drivers attempting to drive their cars out. Moreover, chances are that you will be handed over with a parking ticket. Watch out for parking signs. Refrain from parking in front of emergency exits, schools, hospitals and theatres where a large number of people are likely to assemble. It is not one of the good driving habits to park in illegal areas. Refrain from parking in No Parking Zones, even if it is for five minutes.

Not merging appropriately

This is an important aspect of driving on highways. Driving at the same speed as the other vehicles will minimize the chances of crashing against each other. Use the acceleration lanes or the entrance of the highway to pace up, while simultaneously, close attention needs to be paid to check the speed of other vehicles. Ease the vehicle only when you notice a substantial gap.

Tailgating

Driving too close to the vehicle ahead creates annoyance and also increases the chance of collision by more than fourfold. Ensure that you leave plenty of space ahead, and if you are being tailgated, simply allow the vehicle to pass. Tailgating is one of the most frustrating driving hazards, and more often, drivers are found to practice it out of habit.

Remember, sitting behind the wheels of a vehicle entitles you to look out for your safety as well as fellow commuters and pedestrians. Irrespective of the accountability of an accident, its impact can befall everyone around it. Having good driving habits is imperative if you head out on the road with a vehicle.