Ten Dangerous Things to Do While Driving

You’ll get no better vigilance on the road other than from a new driver. However, as some get accustomed to driving, complacency rears its head and sadly makes them form risky habits when they’re behind the wheel. According to Rappler, the Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System annual reports show that human error, like driver distractions and inattentiveness, has been the leading cause of accidents and crashes in the Philippines the past few years. Dangerous driving is on the rise. Here are ten of the most dangerous things some drivers do that may either cost an arm and a leg or cost the lives of others.

1. Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs

Ever heard of the saying, “don’t drink and drive”? Anyone can tell that alcohol and steering wheel shouldn’t be mixed, but sadly, not everyone has a common sense to separate these two. Driving involves several tasks, and by doing this while intoxicated, a driver’s ability to multitask will be severely affected. Clearly, driving while drunk is a disaster waiting to happen.

It’s the same with driving under the influence of certain drugs! It depends on the drug used, but all the same, these drugs can impair a person’s brain. For instance, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana can “slow reaction time, impair the judgment of time and distance, and decrease coordination,” while cocaine or methamphetamine can cause aggressiveness and recklessness during driving.

If you’re inebriated, leave your car alone. Take a taxi instead.

2. Driving while feeling tired or drowsy

When you’re tired and sleepy, you face the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.  Although common sense dictates that you should avoid driving when you’re exhausted, believe it or not, many are guilty of doing this.

If you can’t avoid sleeping on the way, it’s better to park somewhere and sleep your fatigue off. It’s better than risking your life and others’ just because you fell asleep while driving.

3. Driving while doing distracting things

There are several things that count as “distracting” while you’re driving. If you’re reaching for something, like your food, automatically you’ll be distracted from driving even if it’s for just a split second. This is dangerous since you’ll never know what will happen the moment you take your eyes off the road.

The most common distraction of all is the usage of cellphone and other electronic devices while driving. Just recently, the implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Law in the country, which had prohibited the use of communication and electronic devices while driving, had sparked debate and outrage among the motoring community. It was suspended later for further discussion on its rules and regulations.

Don’t add to the growing number of distracted drivers nowadays. Leave your phone alone and use your hands for driving only.

4. Prepping up while driving

Even if you have the prowess of Mr. Bean when it comes to changing in the car, it still wouldn’t take much for you to know that you shouldn’t do this while driving. This includes getting your make-up done inside! Do it at home instead.

5. Speeding

It goes without saying that speeding is a very dangerous thing to do, as it doesn’t only risk the safety of yours and your passengers’, but speeding can pose a threat to the pedestrians’ safety as well.

Some even dare to do it when the weather is bad. It’s common sense to drive carefully when it’s raining but believe it or not, some of us are stupid enough to go more than the maximum speed limit when it’s raining cats and dogs outside. Slow down, buddy! You’re not doing anyone any favors, even yourself when you speed up.

6. Raging on the road

Road rage is a common occurrence these days. From an exchange of heated words, any situation can quickly escalate to a fatal one. Don’t let your temper get the best of you! Letting anger control your emotions isn’t only bad for your image, but it’s also dangerous for everyone’s safety. Which brings us to the next dangerous thing that happens when a driver is overcome by extreme anger: driving recklessly.

7. Driving recklessly

When people become angry, they tend to behave violently. While driving, getting bested by your temper will result to recklessness (like driving carelessly) and it goes without saying that this is extremely dangerous for anyone.

If you find yourself being irritated by other drivers, take a deep breath and let it go. Remember, patience is a virtue.

8. Driving without putting the seatbelt on

Accidents are unpredictable and they happen no matter how much we avoid them. In such cases, seatbelts can help protect occupants from being thrown from the vehicle and sustaining more serious injuries. Driving without a seatbelt isn’t only against the law, but it’s also a threat not only to your safety, but to everyone else’s as well.

You might think that, “oh it’s exciting to drive without wearing one!” but believe us, it’s not worth risking your life for. “But it’s my life! It doesn’t concern anyone but me.” Oh honey, the world doesn’t only revolve around you. Your choices could impact others as well.

9. Driving with earphones on

Your attentiveness is the most important thing that you should always bring whenever you hit the road. By being alert, you’re on the lookout for anything that might happen using your senses, and this includes hearing.

If you use earphones while driving, you’ll block the sounds outside that might cause you to miss some external auditory cues in relation to your safety, like a truck honking or an ambulance. If you want to hear some music, that’s what your car speakers are for.

10. Tailgating vehicles

Let’s just put this on the table: tailgating is stupid, as it doesn’t only put you and your passengers at risk, but it also endangers the occupants of the car in front of you. Tailgating limits the view you have of the road, so you won’t be able to properly anticipate and react to whatever will happen in front. Sticking too close to the front car’s rear bumper is just asking for a crash; if ever the front car stops or does something, you won’t be able to react in time. Sadly, there are still aggressive drivers who do this.