How many of these driving mistakes have you committed lately? From tailgating to distracted driving, these bad habits cause thousands of accidents every year. Here's what to watch for — and how to break the cycle.
Dangerous Habits on the Road
- Tailgating — Rear-endings would drop dramatically if everyone followed the three-second rule
- Distracted driving — Cell phones, food, and GPS programming all take your focus off the road
- Improper lane usage — Stay right unless overtaking; cruising in the fast lane forces unsafe passing
- Speeding — Modern insulation makes it hard to feel how fast you're going; check your speedometer regularly
- Drinking and driving — If you're going to drink, leave your keys at home and call a cab
Habits That Seem Harmless
Improper seat positioning is dangerous and leads to distracted driving — always adjust your seat when picking up a new rental. Forgetting to use indicators (or using them at the last second) leaves other drivers guessing. Talking to passengers can become animated and pull your focus from the road. And emotional driving — getting behind the wheel when angry or upset — is never a good idea.
Better Habits to Build
Spend the first few minutes in any rental adjusting your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel. Always use the full length of on-ramps when merging onto a freeway. Signal well in advance of turns and lane changes. And follow the "mirror, signal, maneuver" standard every time. Small corrections to your daily habits make a big difference in safety.
Always follow the rules of the road. Small habits — checking mirrors, signaling, maintaining distance — can prevent serious accidents.
Review our rental car safety tips and build better driving habits today.