According to reports, a traffic accident is one of the most common causes of death globally. Yet, many drivers and car owners still engage in various forms of reckless driving that lead to serious damages, injuries, or even death, as the case may be.
Due to the high number of death cases caused by traffic, many countries have enforced traffic rules that prevent car owners and drivers from engaging in certain activities while driving a car. In Nigeria, for instance, it’s a huge offence to answer the phone while driving or not use a seatbelt while driving.
Aside from these known causes, there are other major dangerous driving habits that could lead to serious accidents. In this article, we share some of them you should be aware of.
- New Advances in Driver Assistance Systems
As frustrating as it may be to admit, that new infotainment system may be pulling your eyes from the road more than it’s making your life easier. In theory, it’s a great idea. All the info you need, like your speed, your favourite song, and the pedestrian warning, is just to the right of your steering wheel. Even some great new apps allow you to listen to the news as you drive. Even some of the new safety features being offered can prove distracting.
This all sounds good in theory, but what you need to be focused on is right in front of you. If your infotainment system is distracting you more than it’s helping you, perhaps it’s time to shut it off until you actually need it.
- GPS Navigation
As bizarre as it may sound, the very thing that should get you to your destination safely may be exactly what causes you to wreck. A screen that goes to sleep, being rerouted down a road you’re not familiar with, or even trying to figure out why your GPS is not verbally giving you directions are all major distractions. It can cause you to focus more on your screen than paying attention to the person crossing the street.
- Texts, Emails, and Phone Calls
Texting might be at the top of the list, but checking your emails or taking calls while you’re driving can be just as dangerous. Most new vehicles offer features that can greatly reduce these risks. Rather than trying to find the right button as you’re driving down the highway in excess of 60 mph, you can use voice commands to communicate with your loved ones. If you drive an older vehicle that does not have these options, it’s best to stop and send that text or email if you really can’t wait to talk.
- Eating Food or Drinking
As harmless as this activity might sound, it is a very dangerous thing to engage in while driving. Eating or drinking and controlling the steering wheel at the same time distract your attention, which in turn could lead to a serious accident. If you are too hungry and cannot wait to eat, it’s best to park your vehicle and take a break to eat/drink before continuing your journey.
- Chit-Chatting/ Arguing While Driving
It’s all fun to chit-chat and keep the driver engaged while they drive but to an extent. Avoid getting into heated conversations while driving, as this could take your eyes off the road. Heated conversations while driving has resulted in large cases of accident across the globe. Avoid this at all costs.
Conclusion
We all know about the common activities that cause serious car accidents. How about the less common ones? This article highlights them, and it’s important to adhere to them at all times for safety.
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