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Risky Driving Behaviors

Risky driving behavior

Unsafe driving habits contribute significantly to roadway accidents and fatalities.  According to NHTSA, the riskiest driving behaviors include drunk driving, drug-impaired driving, distracted driving, lack of seat belts, speeding, and drowsy driving. Unfortunately, many drivers still engage in unsafe driving behaviors, needlessly endangering not just themselves and their passengers but others on the road. Understanding these risky driving behaviors can help you be a more defensive driver.

Below are common dangerous driving behaviors that often contribute to accidents.

Risky Driving Behaviors to Avoid

Drunk Driving

Every day, approximately 37 people in the U.S. die in drunk driving accidents; that translates to one person every 39 minutes (2022 data, NHTSA) or 13,524 alcohol-impaired driving deaths.

  • Alcohol-impaired driving crashes cause almost a third of all traffic-related deaths.
  • People drive drunk nearly 300,000 times every day.
  • 4,000 people are arrested for drunk driving daily.

The reality: Alcohol significantly impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of deadly crashes.

Drug-impaired driving

“Marijuana can make you a safer driver.” Not true. Research shows that marijuana impairs motor skills, lane tracking, and cognitive functions.

  • Certain drugs can impair the ability to drive because they slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Others can make you more aggressive and reckless.
  • Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects.
  • Impaired drivers cannot accurately assess their own impairment.

Bottom line, driving while impaired by any substance is against the law

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving took 3,308 lives in 2022 (NHTSA). Whether manual, visual, or cognitive, distractions greatly reduce a driver’s ability to react and make safe decisions.

distracted driving eating and drinking risky driving behaviors unsafe driving behaviors

  • Cell phones are the most significant contributor to a driver’s inattention to their vehicle, other vehicles on the road, and more. While hands-free systems themselves make using a cell phone a bit safer, the act of talking on the phone can impact a driver’s concentration.
  • The best advice is to turn your phone off and put it out of reach while you are driving. If you need it, pull off the road to unpack it and get it out.

Best practice: Stay focused on the road and avoid any activity that takes your hands, eyes, or mind off driving.

Wearing a seat belt

Seat belts are life-saving devices:

Safe driving behavior wearing seat belts defensive driverAccording to NHTSA, seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017.

Seat belts save lives and should be worn whether in the front seat or back. Do not rely on air bags alone. They will not protect you unless you are wearing a proper restraint. The force of an airbag can cause severe injuries when not secured by a seat belt.

Make it a habit to buckle up, whether you are in the front or back seat.

Speeding

In 2022, speeding killed 12,151 people (NHTSA). It is the biggest unsafe driving behavior in the U.S. and is estimated to be a contributing factor in over one-third of all fatal accidents nationwide.

The probability of serious injury, or even death, increases with impacts at higher speeds, doubling for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH a vehicle travels.

Slow down: Follow speed limits and adjust your driving to suit weather and road conditions.

Drowsy driving

  • drunk driving drug impaired driving drowsy drivingBeing fatigued while driving can be as dangerous as driving impaired (under the influence of alcohol).
  • Fatigue can lead to slower reaction times, experiencing microsleep episodes, and poor decision-making.
  • Best practice: always get the recommended amount of sleep before driving.
  • In 2022, there were 693 deaths from dowsy-diving-related crashes.

Stay alert: Get adequate rest before driving to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Reckless Driving & Road Rage

Reckless driving includes things such as tailgating, cutting off other drivers, weaving in and out of traffic, and making sudden lane changes.

Road rage is a “fit of violent anger by the driver of an automobile, especially one directed toward and endangering other motorists or pedestrians.” It may include swerving in front of another vehicle, stopping abruptly, blocking other vehicles from passing, or purposely making contact with another vehicle.

Avoid aggressive driving: Stay calm, courteous, and focused on the road. It can easily graduate into road rage.

Other risky driving behaviors

Additional dangerous habits include:

  • red light running yellow lights stop light unsafe driving behaviors speedingFailing to yield or give right of way.
  • Running red lights / failing to obey traffic control devices.
  • Not driving for the weather.
  • Failing to maintain your vehicle.
  • Following too closely.
  • Improper turning and/or passing improperly.
  • Loose cargo in the vehicle

Any of these dangerous driving behaviors can contribute to an accident. Know whether you are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors.

NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE? WE are here to HELP.

CALL NASH & FRANCISKATO FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CASE REVIEW

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in which you suffered serious injuries due to risky, unsafe driving behaviors, having a knowledgeable attorney who is your advocate can offer you peace of mind during your recovery. Call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600.

One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation review of your case.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 18, 2023. It was reviewed on April 1, 2025, for content and accuracy and rupdated..

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