What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Get in the habit of flipping your turn signal stalk back to neutral after completing a turn or changing lanes, so as to not confuse other drivers.
It can get stressful at the gas station when other drivers are waiting behind you. But do take a few seconds before driving away to make sure everything is in order. Don't forget to return the gas nozzle to the pump and close your gas flap.
Too many drivers don’t take advantage of the fact that seats, mirrors, and most steering wheels are adjustable. Make sure you make these adjustments for a more comfortable and safe ride.
It's important to leave proper braking room behind the person in front of you. This way you're always prepared for a sudden stop. A good rule of thumb is to keep three seconds from the vehicle in front of you.
Cutting off another driver is not only bad manners, but it's also dangerous. You want to be predictable when you’re driving, so wait for a safe opening in traffic before proceeding.
Most people use their high beams more often than needed. They should only be used in a rural area or on an empty stretch of highway, and when there are no cars in front.
It’s easy to forget to flip on the headlight switch, especially when it's light outside. But they need to be on so other drivers can spot you, especially when there isn't adequate daylight on rainy or foggy days.
Make sure you always take a bottle of water with you. Letting yourself get dehydrated quickly impacts your concentration, which can lead to dangerous errors on the road.
Early merging might seem polite, but it's also extremely inefficient. The best way to merge is called "zipper merging," in which both lanes of traffic proceed to the point at which they must merge, and then take turns.
As modern cars come equipped with electronic blind-spot monitors, fewer drivers may check the old-fashioned way. However, you still need to check before changing lanes.
It's important to slow down when it rains, as roads are more slippery minutes after rainfall. That’s because oils that accumulate on the road are brought up to the surface by the fresh rain, creating a slick layer that interferes with your tires’ traction.
If you’re driving on a multi-lane section of road and turning into another, make sure you stay in your own lane. When turning right, you aren't allowed to turn into the left lane, and the same rules apply when you’re turning left.
If you drive down a one-way street, you’d better hope there isn’t a car coming. Always look for a sign before making a turn, particularly when you’re in an unfamiliar area.
Responding to emergency vehicles depends on where you are and what you’re doing, but in general, you want to signal a move to the side of the road. Keep in mind to not panic and that other drivers are doing the same thing.
Even if it's hands-free, if you find yourself getting distracted by a call, it’s time to hang up. If you’re focused more on your conversation, your reaction time will suffer which could lead to a crash.
Laws regarding pedestrians vary by state and country. Be aware of the local laws, scan your path for pedestrians, and be prepared to stop.
If the destination or route is unfamiliar, give yourself extra time for your trip to avoid any issues, like getting lost. Driving when in a hurry can lead to many bad choices, which could end with a crash.
Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (Carfax)
See also: Do you dare drive on the highest roads in the world?
When you pull up to a red light, you will have a minute or two before it's time to go again. When the light goes green, make sure to pay attention, so you don't back up an entire intersection.
If you frequently find yourself failing at parallel parking, it might be time to find a quiet side street and practice. Learn how to nail that spot in one go without holding up traffic!
If you often drive a different car than your own, it can occur that you forget which side your gas tank is. Make sure to look at your fuel gauge to avoid any confusion.
You’re wasting a ton of fuel and destroying your brake pads if you slam the accelerator and the brakes. Practice driving more smoothly, with gradual pressure on the pedals.
Get in the habit of filling up before the low fuel warning light comes on. It's unhealthy for your engine and fuel pump if you continuously run your car with low fuel.
Maybe you're out of practice, or your clutch is worn down. Whatever the reason, it does happen. So, if you stall, shift to neutral, turn the ignition off and back on, and try again.
If you forget to take care of your car by replacing worn parts, checking and changing fluids, and making sure it’s generally roadworthy, you’re putting yourself and others at unnecessary risk.
If you drive a car with a manual transmission, missing shifts can happen. But you don’t want this to become a habit, as it will cause premature wear and tear to your transmission.
If you have been driving at high speeds or engaging in heavy braking, you shouldn't use the parking brake when you stop. The pressure of the parking brake on your brake rotors can cause the rotors to warp. If your car has a manual transmission, park it in gear instead.
Give the drivers around you enough time to slow down, especially if you need to wait for an opening in traffic before you can complete your turn.
Some drivers are guilty of signaling too early. It's important that you're predictable and let others know what you plan to do. Signaling too early just confuses everyone.
Unless you’re the first one on the line at a stopped light, you can't take off in a rush. You need to wait for the intersection to clear and for the car in front of you to get moving, so you don’t cause a rear-end crash.
Even if you have a clean record and think of yourself as a good driver, the chances are still high that a few bad habits have settled in here and there. Most people think their driving skills are above average, which can't be true considering how common crashes are. Road accidents are mainly caused by human error, so it's good to get a little refresher on what these errors are.
Take a look at the most common driving mistakes on the following slides. Some might seem familiar!
Mistakes drivers often make on the road
These mistakes can impact your safety
LIFESTYLE Vehicles
Even if you have a clean record and think of yourself as a good driver, the chances are still high that a few bad habits have settled in here and there. Most people think their driving skills are above average, which can't be true considering how common crashes are. Road accidents are mainly caused by human error, so it's good to get a little refresher on what these errors are.
Take a look at the most common driving mistakes on the following slides. Some might seem familiar!