The Most Common Dangerous Driving Practices

You take on an immense responsibility when you get behind the wheel – and you also face considerable risk. While car accidents come in many different forms and can cause immense damage, you may be surprised to learn that most are the result of common dangerous driving practices that fall into several basic categories. If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, protect your rights and your rightful compensation by working closely with an experienced Peoria car accident attorney from the start. 

The Most Dangerous Practices on Our Roads

Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers are responsible for about 37 deaths daily in the United States. In 2021 alone, 13,384 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes, which is a 14 percent increase over the previous year. In fact, impaired drivers are responsible for about a third of all traffic fatalities, which makes it one of the deadliest driving practices. 

Speeding

Speeding is second only to drunk driving in terms of how closely it’s related to traffic fatalities. The faster a motorist travels, the more likely they are to cause an accident and the more likely the accident is to result in serious injuries.  It’s also important to note that speeding doesn’t always involve going faster than the posted speed limit – in adverse weather, motorists are responsible for adjusting their speed to the conditions.

Texting Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving is an extremely dangerous practice, and texting elevates the risk factor considerably. When a motorist texts, they engage in the three primary forms of distraction, including:

• Mental distractions
• Manual distractions
• Visual distractions

While it’s certainly a good idea for drivers to put their phones down while behind the wheel, other forms of distraction can also cause serious accidents. If your accident was caused by any type of distacted driving, there is a good chance you can recover compensation.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive drivers show wanton disregard for those with whom they share the road, which makes them both unpredictable and highly dangerous. Aggressive driving includes a spectrum of dangerous practices that can include all the following:

• Tailgating 
• Provoking other drivers
• Speeding excessively
• Zipping in and out of traffic
• Cutting other drivers off
• Ignoring traffic lights, signs, and signals
• Refusing to yield the right of way

Failing to Check Blind Spots

Every motorist experiences blind spots to one degree or another, and those drivers who fail to account for them when changing lanes or taking exits often cause dangerous accidents. Checking mirrors and doing a visual sweep are musts when it comes to driving safely. 

Following Too Closely

While tailgating is a hallmark of aggressive driving, some motorists simply fail to keep a safe distance from forward traffic. This risky practice makes serious accidents far more likely. 

Discuss Your Claim with an Experienced Peoria Car Accident Attorney Today

The Peoria car accident attorneys at Goldfine & Bowles appreciate how difficult the aftermath of a car accident can be and dedicate their practice to helping clients like you recover compensation for their full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses. We not only have decades of imposing experience but also have impressive results to show for it, and we encourage you to reach out for more information by contacting or calling us at 309-252-4406 today.