8 Bad Driving Habits to Kick Quick
Even the most experienced drivers pick-up a bad driving habit or two. All of the bad driving habits on this list are some of the most common offenses and directly contribute to distracted driving. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016 alone. You owe it to yourself and to those you love to operate your vehicle safely and with the utmost focus. Identify your bad driving habits and kick them to the curb!
- Using your cell phone while driving. Whether you’re sending out a quick text to a friend or scrolling Instagram for the latest updates in your social circle, cellphone use while driving is a bad driving habit to kick. As of 2014, Illinois law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones (texting or other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle. Hands-free devices for Bluetooth technology is allowed for persons over age 18. Research from NHTSA indicates that 476 people were killed in 2015 due to cell phone related crashes. Still think you could survive if you text and drive?Top Driver has partnered with Just Hang It Up, a student led nonprofit dedicated to ending distracted driving. Learn more about the organization here.
- Not wearing your seatbelt. Maybe one of the easiest driving habits to successfully implement is buckling your seatbelt. Seat belts should be worn every trip and prevent you and your passengers from being ejected from the vehicle during a crash. If you’re having trouble remembering to buckle up, leave yourself post-it notes by the door and in your vehicle, ie: Buckle up. Click it or ticket. Secure seatbelt. Eventually your muscle memory will kick-in and fastening your seatbelt will become second nature.
- Tailgating a vehicle. Tailgating or drafting refers to driving behind another vehicle too closely. Always maintain a safe following distance. Following distance is the distance between you and the car in front of you on the road. By definition, proper following distance would be the distance you would have to be from the vehicle in front of you so that no matter what that vehicle does, i.e. slam on the brakes, you would not rear end that vehicle.This distance should be at least 3 – 5 seconds and can be measured through counting. Select a stationary object on the roadway, like a tree or a lamp post, and begin to count (one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three one-thousand) when the rear of the vehicle in front of you passes that object and continue to count until the front of your vehicle reaches that same object.
- Driving too fast in poor weather conditions. One of the most important skills a driver can have is the ability to analyze the driving environment. We use two terms to describe these environments: ideal and adverse. Ideal conditions are perfect conditions in which no adjustments to our driving need to be made to remain safe. Ideal conditions are the type of conditions posted speed limits are set for. Adjustments to your speed will need to be made when weather conditions deteriorate. Poor conditions include: heavy rain, ice, snow, flooding, etc.When matching or adjusting your speed for conditions you must evaluate three key elements; space, traction, and visibility. Space refers to the area around the vehicle.Traction refers to the grip of the tires to the road surface. Visibility refers to the ability to see and be seen. So, remember S-T-V and slow down!
- Drowsy driving. Driving tired or fatigued can result in an accident. Literally falling asleep at the wheel is a very real possibility when your body is starved for rest. At some point your body will shut down in order to receive the nourishment it needs. Always plan long trips out in advance, so you can account for drive time and factor in resting points along your journey. If at any other time you feel too tired to drive, call a friend, take a cab etc. It’s a small trade-off to make when your life and is at risk.
- Failure to yield at right of way. Intersections are among the most hazardous locations and are the site of many collisions. As you enter, scan the entire block for potential problems. Reacquaint yourself with right of way rules, so you know how to successfully navigate through an intersection without incident. Definitely don’t run through stop signs.
- Failure to signal. All states require use of turn signals. Most states require turn signals not less than the last 200 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning right or left. Signaling before a turn allows other drivers to plan and adjust for your driving intentions. It’s important to practice changing lanes on residential streets, city streets, and highways so that you become comfortable with the process.
- Not practicing pre-drive procedures. Your vehicle requires attention and regular maintenance to maintain safety standards. Regardless of how great a driver you’ve become, you need a vehicle that is in good condition. Getting ready to drive should include a brief pre-trip vehicle inspection.
Check for the following:
- Tire condition and pressure
- Excessive fluid leaks
- Windshield wiper functionality and fluid level
- Gas level
- Emergency supplies
Whether you’re taking a two-day road trip or just out running quick errands, safety should always be your top concern. Prepare for what you can control: maintenance of your vehicle, pre-drive checklist and take refresher courses to keep bad driving habits at bay. You can’t control everything on the road, but you can control how you respond.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving in Illinois?
No. Since 2014, Illinois law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones while operating a motor vehicle, including texting and other electronic communications. Hands-free Bluetooth devices are permitted for drivers over 18, but drivers under 19 cannot use any phone, hands-free or not, except to call 911 in an emergency. NHTSA data showed 476 people were killed in 2015 in cell-phone-related crashes, and distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016. The risk simply isn't worth the text.
What is a safe following distance, and how do I measure it?
Maintain at least three to five seconds of following distance, more in bad weather. The easiest way to measure is to pick a stationary landmark ahead, such as a tree, sign, or lamp post. When the rear bumper of the car in front of you passes that point, start counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand. If your front bumper reaches the same landmark before you finish counting, you're too close. Proper following distance means you could stop safely even if the driver ahead slammed on the brakes.
How far ahead of a turn am I required to signal?
All states require turn signals, and most require you to activate them at least 200 feet before turning right or left. That distance gives drivers behind you and cars at the intersection enough time to plan around your move. Signaling also matters for lane changes, merges, and pulling away from the curb. Failing to signal is one of the most common traffic violations and a leading contributor to rear-end and side-swipe crashes. Practice signaling early on residential streets, city streets, and highways until it becomes automatic.
What should I check before driving as part of a pre-trip inspection?
A quick pre-trip inspection takes less than two minutes and prevents most roadside surprises. Walk around the vehicle and check tire condition and inflation, look underneath for excessive fluid leaks, and confirm there's no obvious damage. Inside, verify windshield wipers work and washer fluid is full, glance at the fuel gauge, and make sure you have basic emergency supplies like a flashlight, jumper cables, and a first-aid kit. Even on a short errand, a vehicle in poor condition can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Why is drowsy driving as dangerous as drunk driving?
When your body is starved for rest, it will eventually shut down, and that can mean falling asleep at the wheel. Drowsy driving slows reaction time, narrows attention, and impairs judgment in ways similar to alcohol. The safest move is to plan long trips in advance with built-in rest stops every two hours. If you feel yourself fading at any point, pull over for a 20-minute nap, call a friend, or take a cab home. Caffeine and rolling the windows down are short-term fixes, not solutions.
How do I avoid hydroplaning and other weather-related skids?
Slow down whenever conditions get worse, because posted speed limits are set for ideal weather only. Use the STV framework: evaluate Space around your vehicle, Traction between your tires and the road, and Visibility ahead. In heavy rain, snow, ice, or flooding, reduce speed well below the limit, increase your following distance, and steer, brake, and accelerate smoothly to keep weight transfer gentle. Sudden inputs are what break traction. Make sure tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread before bad weather arrives.
Why are intersections so dangerous, and how do I navigate them safely?
Intersections are among the most hazardous locations on the road because traffic moves in multiple directions and right-of-way rules can be misread under pressure. As you approach, scan the entire block ahead for cross traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, and turning vehicles. Come to a complete stop at every stop sign, count three seconds, and confirm the intersection is clear before proceeding. Brush up on right-of-way rules so you know who goes first at four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, and turns. Never run a stop sign, even on an empty street.
