Here’s six bad driving habits to keep in check to help make you a safer driver.
If you hold a full licence, you’ll recognise this feeling; you’ve passed your test and are now a fully-
fledged driver! You’re about to thoroughly enjoy the drive home, but seeing as how you’ve passed
the test, there’s no need to be such a perfect driver… Maybe you’ll let your hands slip from ten
and two, to eight and four… or six and nothing. Maybe you’ll stop a tad too close to the car in front,
or maybe you’ll check your mirrors less often, because hey, you’ve already passed the big test.
And that’s how the bad habits begin for any young driver. Keeping an eye on the bad habits we
form over time is crucial for keeping our roads safe, and will make you a better driver too. Here are
six of the most common bad driving habits among Irish road users.
1. Control of the wheel
This bad habit comes in many guises, from crossing your arms over when taking sharp turns to
steering with the heel of your hand. Remember to feed the wheel when steering and always keep
both hands in position.
2. Stopping too close to other cars
Bumper to bumper traffic is a phrase that should not be taken literally. Remember, make sure you
can see the tarmac so you know you’re leaving enough room between you and the car in front
when stopped in traffic.
3. Checking mirrors
They say change starts with the man in the mirror, and in this case that’s you! All too often, people
don’t check their mirrors before driving off, only to discover they’re in the wrong position anyway.
Remember to always check your mirrors before driving off, pulling out, or merging with another
lane of traffic.
4. Indicating
Indicating is not an optional, customary gesture that entitles us to change lanes without regard for
fellow road users. Remember to check your mirror, then indicate, and only when you can see the
manoeuvre is safe, move into position.
5. Road rage
You may be feeling enraged by the bad habits of other drivers, but road rage shouldn’t be our go
to response. Remember that mistakes happen, and getting angry won’t get you there any faster.
6. Driving distracted
We should all be aware by now of how dangerous it is to use your phone while driving, but the fact
remains it’s difficult to ignore the intriguing ‘beep beep’ of a Whatsapp message, especially when
you’re stuck in traffic and the plans aren’t finalised for tonight yet. Remember, it’s not worth taking
your attention off the road when driving, or when sitting in traffic.
If you need your car checked for faults just give me a call Ronan Kelly
Tags: bad driving habits
