Driving Habits to Avoid

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Bad driving habits can be dangerous and even deadly because they are not isolated incidents, but rather consistent patterns which create consistent risks for the driver and others on the road. Habits can be hard to break, but here are some we should all do our best to avoid to keep the roads as safe as possible:

Failing to signal – This is also a common pet-peeve of other drivers on the road, and for good reason, as it is a major cause of auto accidents even in low-traffic areas. Your turn-signal is the only indication other drivers have of your intentions and vice-versa, so use it at all times.
Running yellow/red lights – Yellow lights may be inconvenient at times, but driving through them can be risky and driving through red lights is downright dangerous. Failing to stop could bring you into contact with a vehicle coming across at full speed, such as one that did not need to slow down because the light turned green, which is why it’s always better to slow down for yellow lights and avoid high-speed crosses through the intersection.
Slowing down to view construction or an accident – “Rubbernecking,” as it used to be called, refers to slowing down in traffic to get a good look at something happening on or near the road, such as construction, an auto accident, or law enforcement activity. Not only does this disrupt and slow down traffic behind you, but there’s no guarantee that a driver behind you will be prepared to react to your reduced speed; this is especially dangerous on highways, as speed-limits are higher and create a greater disparity between the up-to-speed drivers and cautious drivers. While it’s important to move with caution through construction or the scene of an accident, Do not become a distracted driver and make these situations worse.
Disobeying the speed limit – Perhaps we’re all guilty of getting a few miles over the speed-limit from time to time, but habitual speeding is very dangerous and a quick way to get a ticket for reckless driving, let alone an accident that may harm others. If a speed-limit is not posted in your area, here are some helpful guidelines to follow (limits may vary):- Residential areas: 15 – 30 MPH
– Rural undivided roads: 40 – 55 MPH
– Rural divided roads: 50 – 60 MPH
– Freeways: 55 – 65 MPH
Distracted driving – Mobile phone use is contributing greatly to the problem of distracted driving and the resulting accidents, injuries, and deaths, and unfortunately these statistics have been on the rise in a number of states. Other common distractions include the radio, applying makeup, lighting or smoking cigarettes, and eating/drinking, and drivers are obligated to avoid these or keep them to an absolute minimum to prevent such needless accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

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Driving Habits to Avoid

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