The Most Unsafe Driving Behaviors to Avoid

**Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored post which also contains affiliate links.

We all make mistakes at one time or another, but the roadways are not the best places to make these mistakes! According to the 2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index, conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, found that 50.3% of drivers admitted to driving 15 MPH, over the posted speed limit, on the highway. The survey also revealed that 42.7% of drivers stated that, in the last 30 days, they drove through a traffic light that had just turned red. While anyone can be involved in car accident, there are certain behaviors that can increase the risks of being involved in one.

The Most Unsafe Driving Behaviors to Avoid

Distracted driving – According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, approximately 9 people are killed in the U.S. every day, due to car accidents that involve a distracted driver. Distracted driving is defined as engaging in any activity that takes your focus and attention away from driving. This includes talking or texting on the cell phone, eating, applying makeup, changing radio stations and talking with other vehicle occupants.

Driving under the influence – According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 29 people are killed in the U.S. every day, due to car accidents that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Alcohol not only impairs your ability to drive, but it also impairs your reaction time. If you are planning on drinking alcohol away from home, have a designated driver or call a taxi to get home.

Drowsy driving – According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 9.5% of all car accidents in the U.S. are the result of drowsy driving. Driving while you’re drowsy greatly increases your chances of falling asleep at the wheel. To avoid driving while you are drowsy, drive during the times of the day when you are most alert. If you are driving long distances, pull over and take a 15-20-minute break about every 2 hours or so.

Road rage – According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, close to 80% of U.S. drivers have engaged in some form of road rage behavior within the last year. The most common road rage behavior is purposefully tailgating, but can also include cutting off other drivers, overusing the car horn and verbally cursing other drivers. While road rage itself is not a crime, some of the behaviors associated with road rage are a crime. Some of these crimes include assault, harassment and reckless driving.

Speeding – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the cause of 27% of car accident deaths in the U.S., killing 10,111 people in 2016. The laws of physics are pretty simple when it comes to speeding- the faster you drive your car, your chances of being in a severe car accident increases.

Head over to Wyatt Johnson Kia and find a car that fits your needs!