Can Your Driving Habits Heighten the Risk of an Accident?

Driving is sometimes a risk in Florida. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV), there was an average of 1,083 accidents per day in the state.

This risk, however, is not the same everywhere. Some roads may be more dangerous than others. Furthermore, bad driving habits can increase the likelihood of getting into a serious accident. Conversely, you can decrease the risks of driving consequences with good driving habits.

By understanding the difference between risky and safe driving habits, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Odds of Getting Into a Car Accident

The odds of getting into car accidents increase the more miles that people drive. According to the same FLHSMV stats, there were approximately 150 accidents per 100 million miles driven.

Will you drive 100 million miles in your lifetime? Probably not, even if you spend your entire life as a professional driver. Thus, the good news is that the average person, who only drives a few hundred thousand miles in their lifetime, has only about a 1% chance of getting into an accident.

However, the risks of an accident increase if you have bad driving habits, or when people around you have bad driving habits.

Common Bad Driving Habits That Increase Accident Risk

What is an example of risk while driving? The following are common negligent activities that may result in accidents.

Distraction

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,275 people in 2023. That is roughly 8% of all traffic fatalities that year.

Common distracted driving habits that result in accidents are doing any of the following while driving:

• Texting or using an electronic device
• Eating or drinking
• Adjusting the radio
• Using a GPS that doesn’t give verbal instructions

These actions cause you to look away from the road, which is a risk. So, what happens when you take a risk while driving? You increase your odds of an accident significantly.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

You may be wondering, “What causes more serious injury and death than any other factor in traffic accidents?” Somewhat unsurprisingly, speeding is the main culprit, responsible for one-third of traffic fatalities.

Those speed limit signs that so many people ignore are there for a reason. When you are traveling faster than the posted speed limit, you are likely moving at a speed that won’t give you enough time to stop if a danger suddenly appears on the road ahead of you.

Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs significantly affect your ability to drive safely. When you are under the influence, you have impaired senses, reflexes, and decision-making skills. This means you are less likely to see a danger on the road, react more slowly when you do see one, and are likely to make the wrong decision about how to avoid it.

Ignoring Traffic Laws and Signals

Right-of-way laws are critical to preventing accidents. Without them, people would speed through intersections without concern for who was traveling on the cross street. Even something as tame as doing a “rolling stop” at a stop sign can cause an accident.

Bad habits here can be deadly. It is best to err on the side of caution. Always come to a full stop at stop signs and red lights, even when you intend to turn right or when no cars are around. An occasional bad habit can become a constant bad habit.

Tailgating

A bad driving habit you should avoid is tailgating. Tailgating creates roughly the same problem as speeding. When you are too close to the vehicle in front of you, you don’t have time to brake if they slow down.

This is likely to cause a rear-end accident, and typically, the driver in the rear is responsible for rear-end accidents. This means that developing a tailgating habit can cost you dearly in increased insurance premiums.

What Is the Greatest Cause of Driving Accidents?

Distracted driving is known as the silent killer. This is because it is a leading cause of vehicle accidents. Distracted driving may not result in the most fatal accidents, but it is likely to ruin your day.

Looking away from the road to text or adjusting the radio aren’t the only dangers, either. Talking to another passenger or using a hands-free phone can also distract your attention.

Possible Negative Consequences of Developing Bad Driving Habits

What are possible negative consequences of developing driving habits that are dangerous to others? If you are lucky, it will only result in tickets.

However, ticket fines can cost you thousands of dollars in what you pay the government and higher insurance premiums. If you get enough tickets, you will also lose your license. In the worst-case scenario, that could cost you your job.

You might be wondering, “What is an example of risk while driving?” Imagine that your bad habits result in you hitting a pedestrian or a loved one dying in an accident that is your fault. Those are consequences that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Five Good Driving Habits To Cultivate Today and Forever

If you want to protect yourself and your passengers from injury, the following five good driving habits will decrease your likelihood of getting into an accident.

• Focus on the road while driving and ignore distractions, like your phone.
• Always maintain a safe speed and following distance, especially when traffic is heavy.
• Strictly obey all traffic laws.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and pull over if it becomes unsafe to drive.
• Only drive your vehicle when you are fully rested and take rest breaks as needed.

A bad driving habit you should avoid is practicing good driving habits selectively. If you don’t follow good habits every time you drive, your good habits are likely to atrophy.

Injured in a Florida Car Accident? We Can Help

Even with the best habits, you might end up in an accident. Our law firm offers Florida car accident services that help victims of accidents get the compensation they need to recover after a car crash that wasn’t their fault.

FAQ

Citations:

Distracted Driving.

Helling, B. (2024). Shocking Texting and Driving Statistics.

Micalizio, P. (2024). What Are the Top 5 Causes of Fatal Car Crashes in the US?

Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2023.