Most drivers know what constitutes unsafe driving. Yet, over time it can be easy to slip into bad driving habits that put everyone on the road at risk. If you find yourself engaging in any of the following unsafe habits, the time to quit is now!

1. Texting and driving.

Texting while driving causes 1.6 million auto accidents each year – nearly one-fourth of all accidents. It makes drivers 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated. And, it kills 11 teenagers every day. If you do nothing else to improve your driving, stop texting while behind the wheel. No message is so important as to put your life and the lives of others at risk.

2. Speeding.

There’s nothing like cruising down the highway at a high rate of speed – except that it’s dangerous for you, anyone in your car, and everyone else around you. A leading cause of auto collisions, speeding gives drivers less time to react in emergency situations. Airbags and seatbelts don’t work as well in high-speed crashes. And speeding increases the impact of collisions and the severity of injuries. Why risk all that just to get there a few minutes earlier?

3. Tailgating.

If you tend to tailgate, consider this: vehicles traveling at 60 mph require at least 240 feet (four-fifths the length of a football field) to come to a safe stop. And, braking distance increases even more in wet conditions or while driving larger vehicles. Tailgating causes 2,000 deaths every year, so keep your distance from the car in front of you and keep everyone safe! 

4. Driving tired.

Also referred to as “drowsy driving,” driver fatigue can cause impaired reaction times, poor judgment, and blurred vision, especially at night. Surprisingly, it can also increase aggressive driving, another leading cause of auto accidents. If you feel sleepy or exhausted when driving, pull over and get some rest. Or, let someone else take over the wheel while you get some rest.

5. Not adjusting speed for weather conditions.

Speeding on wet, icy, or muddy roads is just asking for trouble. It takes longer to stop the vehicle. Cars are more likely to spin out in sudden stops. And you can easily lose control of your car without making contact with another vehicle.   Protect yourself, your family, and everyone else on the road by ditching these bad driving habits now and learn good driving habits!