Driving is one of those things in life that can be daunting at first, but can quickly become second nature if you do it enough.  Many spend a lot of time each day on the road. Whether it’s ferrying their kids around to school or commuting to work, driving is just something we do on a regular basis. However, once we get accustomed to it, we might start developing lazy habits that are surprisingly harmful to our safety.

Let’s face it; how many of us have neglected to put on our seatbelt now and then because we’re only driving down the road or in a relatively safe neighbourhood? What about answering your phone? Perhaps you see that your phone is ringing on the dashboard and it’s your partner, so you decide to answer it and disregard driving rules set by your state or country. There are small things like this that might not initially seem harmful, and the more you do it the more likely you’ll repeat those actions and eventually become desensitized to those dangerous habits and become a hazard on the road.

But how do you know when to stop? Let’s take a look at some of the most common habits that drivers have which turn them into dangerous hazards on the road.

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Neglecting Laws

Laws are made for a reason. They’re rules that we need to follow or else we lose order. However, laws are also designed to protect us. There are different rules in each state, and it’s important that you follow them else you risk getting in trouble with the law or potentially hurting yourself. The last thing you want is to be pulled over because you didn’t realize what the laws in your current state are. Make sure you check up on the driving laws of each state to make sure this doesn’t happen. The laws should also make sense because they’re made to protect you.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the ways that you become a hazard on the road without even knowing it. Some of these are going to be basic knowledge for people, but others are going to be interesting and you might learn a thing or two about driving safety.

Driving With Passengers

One of the most common ways to get distracted is to have people in the back of your vehicle. Of course, it’s absolutely normal to drive with people, but you need to remember that they can become distractions. Whether it’s someone asking you to change the music or speaking to you about subjects that you need to think about, anything that takes your mind or attention off driving can ultimately distract you. That’s how easy it is to actually become distracted. All it takes is a split second and you might miss a light, you could miss the pedestrian crossing the road or you could take a wrong turn.

You want to avoid car accidents as much as possible especially when there are other people in the vehicle with you. No one wants to be responsible for several people getting injured, so here are a few tips to help you stay focused when driving with others in the car:

• Diffuse arguments quickly. If you’re arguing with someone in the car or your child is disagreeing and having a tantrum, do your best to stop the argument so you can continue focusing on driving.
• Stop driving if your passengers are annoying you. Whether it’s someone playing with your seat and moving it or changing the songs on your radio, stop immediately if you’re getting frustrated with the people in your car.
• Don’t play around in the car. Driving with friends can be enjoyable, but if they’re doing silly things like dancing around or screaming loudly then stop them immediately.
• Drive slowly. If you find it hard to focus with people in the car, driving slowly can help give you more time before important driving decisions.

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Vehicle Maintenance

You’d be surprised at just how many vehicles on the road are in need of some dire maintenance. Whether it’s an indicator light that isn’t working or the seats being a little unstable, it’s important to get the best out of your vehicle and keep it well-maintained so that you don’t risk it breaking down or becoming dangerous when you’re out in the open. Many people that have owned their cars for a long time will quickly forget about keeping their vehicle in good condition, so make sure you don’t neglect this as an important concern.

For example, a used car can sometimes come with bad tires or flimsy brakes. Make sure you fix these as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming a major issue. In addition, perform a regular maintenance check on your devices to guarantee that all of your lights are working and that you can correctly show your intent to other drivers on the road. vehicles need to be kept in good condition before they should be used on the road, so don’t drive a vehicle that is broken or in poor condition.

Driving While Tired

Everyone has driven while tired a few times in their life. Whether it’s trying to shake off the morning grogginess or driving after a long and rough day at work, it’s important that you try and drive only when your mind is focused and you’re not falling asleep. Driving while drowsy is actually a huge safety concern and it is similar to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

You might be tempted to drive while drowsy, but it’s important that you consider the safety concerns and the danger that you might put yourself in if you do it. Try to plan your driving in advance and make sure you take regular breaks if you’re driving a long distance. There’s nothing wrong with stopping someplace, pulling over your vehicle and taking a small nap before you continue driving.