The 10 other bad habits that can kill you

We’re overwhelmed by our fast paced lives, over stimulated by technology, distracted by our circumstances and impatient because we’re always rushing to be somewhere. In response to this, motorists have developed some bad driving habits. It’s time to recognise the habits which put us in harm’s way and realise why they’re habits worth breaking.

10 bad driving habits to kick today!

1. Too close for comfort
   Do you keep a safe following distance? It’s easy to edge a little too close when you’re fending off other drivers who like to cut in front because they’re in a hurry. But, keeping a good following distance can help reduce the chances of having an accident, giving you enough space to react should the car in front of you suddenly brake.
2. I have indicators?
   Every road user has somewhere to be and it’s each driver’s responsibility to let the vehicles around them know what they’re intending to do, by using their indicators. Misusing or not using your indicators at all can put you at serious risk. It’s more than just a courtesy to use your indicators, it’s a way to prevent misunderstandings and accidents.
3. Checking on the kids
   It’s easy to become distracted when you have children in the car. Turning your attention away from the road to talk to or check on your children in the back seat is a bad driving habit. Rather find a place to stop and check on them.
4. This is my jam!
   The technology in cars is constantly improving; new music devices, cellphone connections and navigation systems. But these new gadgets, settings and options, can be distractions on the road. If you tinker with the setup of your sound system while driving, your favourite song could become the soundtrack to an unfortunate accident.
5. Too fast or too slow
   We all know speed kills. Driving too fast can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, putting you and all other road users in serious danger. But what you might not have considered is that driving too slowly can be just as much a threat on the roads as driving too fast. It is extremely hazardous to drive dangerously slow into a lane where everyone is driving at the speed limit. Stick to the speed limit, and if we all drive according to the rules, the roads will run smoothly.
6. Let me answer this call quickly
   You’re on the road, your phone rings and you think “I’ll answer and make it quick”. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Being on the phone impairs your driving ability and slows your reaction time because your focus is divided. Don’t let answering your phone while driving become a habit.
7. My way or the highway
   There’s nothing worse than sitting in traffic after a long day to have people skip the long queue and push their way into your lane; the lane you waited in for half an hour. However irritated you may feel, you’re more likely to cause an accident by refusing to let them in. Even though it’s about the principle, if letting that inconsiderate driver slip in front of you is the difference between getting home safely and a three car pile-up, letting them in and letting the frustration go is the safer option.
8. I’ll grab something on the way
   Taking one hand away from the steering wheel to munch on a quick takeaway burger might not seem like such a terrible thing, but you should avoid making eating while driving a habit. It’s another distraction. If you eat while you’re driving, you’re not giving your full attention to what’s happening around you. In those split seconds when your focus is off the road ahead is when you’re most likely to be in an accident. 
9. Makeup 
   Time is never on our side. It seems we’re always rushing from one place to the next. So we multitask. Applying makeup while driving is a good example. If you’re closing one eye and looking in the mirror with the other, you have no eyes on the road. Don’t cause an accident because you ran out of time in the morning.
10. Spectator value
    Human beings are curious creatures, which is why spectator value is a real problem. ‘Rubbernecking’, or slowing down to look at an incident on the road, is dangerous and could cause an accident of its own. Drive carefully in these situations, try keep your focus on the road in front of you and not on the events around you.

You can make the roads much safer by kicking these bad driving habits. A little consideration and patience can go a long way!

You rely on your insurer to get you back on the road after an accident, but at OUTsurance, we’d rather you weren’t in an accident in the first place. Because while we’ve done our best to make a vehicle claim as hassle-free as possible, with fair claims settlement and quick turnaround time, it’s still always better and less disruptive if you don’t have to.