By Jerry Mooney
Everyone likes to think that they’re great at what they do. Be it driving, drawing, writing or working at the office, people like to tell themselves they’re doing a good job because, quite frankly, there aren’t many people that will tell us otherwise. If they do, then we’re quick to argue our corner and we may even reject any kind of advice or opinion they offer.
Many of those situations can be harmless, but driving is an area where complacency can kill. To help snap you out of that fantasy, here are 9 signs that you’re actually a bad driver. If you feel like many of these points apply to you then don’t worry—many people have been there before and it’s what you do afterwards to redeem yourself that counts.
You spend your mornings behind the wheel
Be it doing your makeup, eating your breakfast, reading the news or even brushing your teeth—never do these inside a car while it’s moving and active on the road. Your car is for driving, it’s not an extension of your home. Get your stuff sorted out before you hit the road or else you become a hazard to not only yourself but others around you. If you find it difficult to get time in the mornings, then sleep a little earlier. Driving while tired equally as bad as driving under the influence and you may even be fined if you’re a careless driver.
You always think you’re below the alcohol limit
You technically can have a bit of alcohol before you’re considered drunk enough to be charged with a DUI on the road. However, that amount is incredibly small and if you’ve successfully finished a beer or a cocktail, then you’ve already passed the reasonable limit and you will require a criminal lawyer to get you out of a sticky situation. If you want to avoid ever running into the law while driving, then stop taking alcohol lightly. Always make sure you have a designated driver in your group of friends, or consider taking another form of transportation to get home.
You think that everyone else drives too fast
Are people constantly driving past you even when you’re in the slow lane? Then you might be simply driving too slowly. People automatically assume that driving slowly is safer because there’s less chance that you’ll end up in a fatal accident. However, it’s actually a lot worse because not only are you putting other drivers at risk, you’re causing slowdowns which could result in even worse crashes. A good driver will always match the speed of others around them so that everyone is aware of their surroundings and plenty of distance is created between each car.
You treat your car like a fashion statement
Sure, cars can look absolutely stunning and beautiful. However, if you focus more on the looks of your car than the actual internals or functionality, then you’re approaching car ownership with a luxury mindset that is out of the scope of this article. Cars can be luxurious and fitted with everything from leather seats to lighting on the bottom of your car. Some wheels can even cost more than vehicles themselves, so it goes without saying that it’s possible to completely modify your vehicle into a fashion statement and not for functionality.
You get funny looks when you say you’re good at driving
Have you ever told your friends that you’re good at driving, only to receive funny looks? Don’t worry—you probably aren’t the only one that gets it, but it’s a good idea to ask them if they really think you’re a good driver or not. Some people are impartial and, as long as they get from point A to B, they don’t care about your driving ability. However, if you say that you’re one of the best drivers around and your friends don’t see it as a funny statement, then they probably know that you’re just gloating or bragging and they won’t believe a word you say.
You think that other drivers are at fault more than yourself
No one likes to blame themselves for something happening, but if you find yourself shouting from behind the steering wheel at other drivers, then it might be a sign that you’re refusing to see your own mistakes. This is when a dashcam comes in handy because you can accurately record what goes on in front of your vehicle. You can easily play it back on a mobile device and see who’s really to blame. As long as you approach this with an open mind, you’ll realise that you make mistakes just like those people that you blow your horn at.
You’ve never thought about taking defensive driving courses
To be a safer driver, you’ll have to think about taking defensive driving courses. These are designed to help you actively avoid crashes, collisions and accidents while on the road. Many accidents happen as a result of a reckless driving inflicting damage on other vehicles in the road. If you want to avoid ever being at the center of a crash, then take some defensive driving courses to refresh your memory and give you more skills to work with when driving in a busy environment.
Your hand is your phone holder in the car
If you find time to look at your phone on a regular basis by picking it up with your hands, the there’s a good chance that you’re not a good driver. Drivers should always use hands free kits and avoid distractions as much as possible to ensure the safety of themselves and their passengers.
You think you’re great at multitasking in the car
Multitasking is something to be proud of but it has no place in the car. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a video game on your phone, singing a song or even petting your dog—make sure your eyes are fixed on the road and your surroundings more than anything else. Remove distractions and stop assuming that good multitasking skills are making your more productive.
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