Four reckless driving behaviors

Reckless driving is a major cause of automobile accidents and injuries on the road. There are several types of behavior that signal reckless driving. Avoid falling into the trap of engaging in these behaviors. If you see other drivers on the road doing any of these things, the best way to keep yourself safe is to stay as far away from them as possible.

Speeding

Speeding is among the top dangerous driving behaviors, resulting in 28 percent of traffic fatalities. Speeding is most often defined as either exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions. While staying within the legal speed limit is a necessary condition to avoiding speeding, it is not a sufficient one. Traffic or weather conditions may dictate a maximum safe speed that is far under the official limit. Either way, excessive speed makes it harder for the driver to stop or turn when necessary, which can cause a serious accident when a prompt reaction is needed to avoid collision. A high speed also increases the force of the impact, aggravating any resulting injuries.

Aggression

Aggressive driving is another type of behavior that often escalates to serious consequences. This includes making sharp turns or lane changes, cutting off other vehicles, tailgating and swerving. Any of these can cause collisions if other drivers are not able to react quickly enough. Aggressive drivers can also honk, make obscene gestures or scream at other drivers. While these activities alone are more annoying than dangerous, they can create a hazard by distracting other drivers. They are also signs that the driver engaging in them is distracted and probably not using sound judgment at the moment.

Lack of signals

Failing to signal on the road is another type of reckless behavior that can be hazardous to the driver and other vehicles on the road. Drivers should ensure that all of their lights are in working condition before setting out. Braking or turning without a signal may not allow other cars sufficient reaction time to slow down, and creates the potential for a collision.

Distraction

If you see a driver talking on the phone, eating or fixing makeup, know that this is a driver to avoid. Distraction causes a lot of car accidents, many of them serious. When a driver’s mind is not on the road, he or she is more likely to have a delayed reaction time to changing conditions and fail to respond in time to avoid an accident.

Of course, there are times when it is not possible to avoid a reckless driver. If you have suffered from a car accident due to reckless driving, speak with a knowledgeable attorney in your area to learn more about your options.

Category:

• Car Accidents