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Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Time To Confess Our Bad Driving Habits

By Harry Denton


No one wants to think that they are a bad driver. However, most of us have bad habits that we have developed over the years. Some of these habits are a result of just not having enough time in the day. Eating lunch while driving may be the only time we have to eat. Do our poor habits actually mean that we are bad drivers?

We All Speed

Most roads will have posted speed limits. These speed limits are meant to be the maximum speed that a driver may travel at. However, most people disregard these laws all the time. It could very well be that these speed limits are not the maximum speed at which we can safely drive. Most speed limits have been established in a very political manner.

A city may enact a 35 Kilometre per hour speed limit in an area where 50 Kilometre per hour would still be safe. Why is this? It is an attempt to generate more speeding tickets which create more revenue for cash-strapped cities. This means that going over the speed limit may not always be due to poor driving skills. However, you should always try to obey posted speed limits at all times.

Eating While Driving

Have you ever seen the guy in the car next to you eating his lunch in the car? This wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't also the driver of the car. Eating while driving is the ultimate attempt to do two things at once. Eating your lunch should be kept for when you are back at the office. Staying at McDonald's to finish that Big Mac might be a better option as well. You can enjoy your meal while not putting all the other motorists in danger.

Talking On The Phone

Talking on the phone is a habit that you should certainly try to break as soon as possible. Purchase a hands-free set at the very least. Engaging in a conversation will usually cause you to focus on the person you are talking to. You might as well just close your eyes while driving on the road if you are going to be talking on your phone as well. Most states ban this type of behavior because it is so dangerous. Newer cars come with the ability to send calls and text messages using just your voice.

Poor Etiquette

A lot of us drive without any thought for our fellow man. You should always use your turn signal when you are going to make a turn. This is especially true when you decide to make a turn at the last second. Giving proper notice to the guy behind you will help him avoid running into you. Road rage is something that should be kept in check as well. There is no point in getting angry at another driver because they are going 75 in a 55 when you want them to be doing at least 90. Not everyone has to fit in to your schedule. Parking in a handicap spot may seem like a good idea to save some time. Most people just consider it rude and inconsiderate.

According to Kanetix, most Canadians have a lot of bad driving habits. This is not always because we are actually bad drivers. A lot of these habits are born out of necessity. It is still a good idea to follow the rules of the road as closely as possible. Disregarding the law can cost you a lot of money. You may even lose your right to drive if you are caught doing something especially dangerous.




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