What are "bad driving" habits ?

maralex_inc

Here it is - coming from a driving instructor. You might think my statements are abit much, but no matter what it is you do you always start with the basics. And, of course, if you do not practice the basics you are practicing bad driving. Some of the basics:

1. Both hands on the steering wheel. It is your main vehicle control mechanism. Most of the people drive and rely on the fact that nothing would happen, but when it does, it happens so suddenly - it's like a stray bullet in your back. With one hand you wont be able to take full control - with this said it's a no no for any good driver.

2. Always use your signal. It is so crucially important to be sure that everyone around knows what you are about to do. Sometimes I would turn my blinker on, check the mirror and the same second I am about to change a lane, the other guy jumps in there in an instant with no blinker - a recipe for a tragedy there.

3. Keep your safety zone clean (distance to other cars around you) and constantly watch those cars around you at all times. This will give you a chance to manuever when somebody else makes a brutal mistake. If you don't maintain your safety zone, you could pay for other's mistakes. Just like I mentioned above - you have to always be prepared for somebody to do something very stupid - happens all the time, don't be the one paying for it.

I could go on, but I will stop here. I would also like to remind you that when you come to a Red light and you happen to be the front car - first car at the thick front line - remember not to cross it, even by a foot. Most forget, but when you cross that line, you are limiting the view of those cars trying to make a right turn on red making it more dangerous for them - it is very important. Always watch for it.

If you manage to keep this up - it will be a good learning curve to be amuch better driver. I would not even go into smoking at the wheel, eating at the wheel or using a cell phone.

Cheers

Please punctuate properly folks.

Not taking driving seriously... not bothering to clear the windows of ice or condensation before driving, not bothering to adjust the seat, steering wheel and mirrors as they need them... not turning to look in the blind-spot before moving-off... Not bothering to indicate when appropriate, driving too-close to the vehicle in front, letting speed creep up (especially in urban-areas), slowing the car down by use of the gears instead of braking, leaving the car with the engine running (when using gates, garage doors, etc.), crossing your hands on the steering wheel, letting the slack feed-back through the wheel, not gripping the wheel firmly with BOTH hands, unless working other controls, allowing distractions to get the better of your training (road-raging, carrying grudges against those who have just acted impolitely, "oohh look a lovely house/car/girl" etc. excessively-loud music or intense conversation with passengers, using a mobile-phone...

googie

Driving in slow in a passing lane when one should be on the right,not using turn signals to pass or to exit a road; not using side mirrors and rear view mirror, excessive speed,swinging wide left to make a right turn exit,tail gating,excessive braking,passing in a "No Passing" zone, running through a caution light,passing on the right,eyes not fully on the road when another is in the front passenger seat. and not using seat belts.

richgeasey

Talking and texting on your mobile phone.

jane k

You can fail your test by getting into bad habits such as holding the car on the clutch and accelerator at traffic signals without using the hand brake and putting the gear into neutral.
You can fail if you do the above at a stop sign too.
When you've passed then no doubt you will do these things but examiners do not like to see them.

Other certain test failures:

Drive with only one hand on the wheel.
Drive too fast for the conditions. 30 means no more than 30 not that you have to do 30.
Argue with other road users, use your horn or lights to SHOW THEM WHO'S IN THE RIGHT (after all you can't know why they made a mistake - it might be their first outing on their own)

Be generally smug and think you know it all -- you don't.

Hope this helps. I have been driving a long time but am still a careful driver. One of my sons failed first time for all the reasons I have given. More humble, he passed the 2nd time.

Famous words from American truck driver who won an award for safe driving
"I drive as if everyone else on the road is crazy!"

Jane

Rolling through a stop sign
Not paying close attention to the road
Not using their mirrors properly
Speeding
Braking too hard
Cutting left turns too wide or too short
Bad parking

UCANTCME

Talking on cell phone

Turning around to talk to passengers or yell at kids

Listening to loud music

Scrounging for things in the backseat

Tailgaiting

Eating, particularly hot drinks and messy foods like tacos

Reading, lots of people try to read directions while driving

Excessive lane changing

Peter K

Every single person picks up bad habits when driving and no way to change that.

Their are habits which don't affect other drivers around you and also habits which do affect other drivers around you.

One for example which doesn't affect drivers around you is using one hand on your steering wheel.

One example which does affect people around you is not using signals when changing lanes.

Like said everyone picks up bad habits when driving but it doesn't mean all of them are bad.

Billy

mine is to actually get in the car, not on top of it

Sali

drinking- driving, exceed the speed limit, not to fasten seat belt, being nervours...etc.

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