Avoid These Dangerous Driving Habits to Stay Safe on the Road
Here are some all-too-common habits that can cause auto accidents and tips for avoiding them.
When drivers are negligent, they can cause accidents and claim lives. But even everyday habits can have the same effect. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates over 37,000 auto accident deaths occurred in the United States in 2017. Let’s look at some all-too-common habits that can cause auto accidents and tips for avoiding them.
1. Driving Under the Influence
Every day in the United States, roughly 30 people die from alcohol-related driving accidents according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[1] Alcohol and drugs impair reasoning and reflexes, which is why many drunk drivers (or “buzzed drivers”) overestimate their ability to drive safely or believe they won’t get caught. Planning ahead can save lives – take a cab or designate a sober driver, and make sure your friends do the same.
2. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that involves drivers looking away from the road, including talking, eating and adjusting the radio – but smartphones have taken distracted driving to a new level. In 2017, 3,166 people were killed in distracted driving accidents.[2] Cell phone use poses a special threat because it involves high-attention activities like texting, surfing the internet, and even taking selfies while driving. Using cell phones while driving is so pervasive (and deadly) that drivers of all ages are pledging to not text and drive.
3. Speeding
Speeding has been a consistent factor in motor vehicle crashes and fatalities for decades. Car accidents that involved speeding accounted for 26% of traffic fatalities in 2017.[3] Driving faster than the posted speed limit increases the chances of collision on its own, but often occurs with other risky behavior, such as distracted driving, aggressive driving (or “road rage”) and even drunk driving.
For additional Habits to look out for and avoid from Nationwide Insurance, go to http://bit.ly/2HWOGBR
When drivers are negligent, they can cause accidents and claim lives. But even everyday habits can have the same effect. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates over 37,000 auto accident deaths occurred in the United States in 2017. Let’s look at some all-too-common habits that can cause auto accidents and tips for avoiding them.
1. Driving Under the Influence
Every day in the United States, roughly 30 people die from alcohol-related driving accidents according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[1] Alcohol and drugs impair reasoning and reflexes, which is why many drunk drivers (or “buzzed drivers”) overestimate their ability to drive safely or believe they won’t get caught. Planning ahead can save lives – take a cab or designate a sober driver, and make sure your friends do the same.
2. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that involves drivers looking away from the road, including talking, eating and adjusting the radio – but smartphones have taken distracted driving to a new level. In 2017, 3,166 people were killed in distracted driving accidents.[2] Cell phone use poses a special threat because it involves high-attention activities like texting, surfing the internet, and even taking selfies while driving. Using cell phones while driving is so pervasive (and deadly) that drivers of all ages are pledging to not text and drive.
3. Speeding
Speeding has been a consistent factor in motor vehicle crashes and fatalities for decades. Car accidents that involved speeding accounted for 26% of traffic fatalities in 2017.[3] Driving faster than the posted speed limit increases the chances of collision on its own, but often occurs with other risky behavior, such as distracted driving, aggressive driving (or “road rage”) and even drunk driving.
For additional Habits to look out for and avoid from Nationwide Insurance, go to http://bit.ly/2HWOGBR
