This is particularly true in our multi-tasking world filled with long commutes. It’s not uncommon for drivers to eat, drink, adjust the radio or watch a video screen, groom themselves, deal with unruly children, bend down to pick up something that dropped, or text/make phone calls. That laundry list of potential problems doesn’t even cover simple human errors like switching lanes without signaling, unexpectedly stopping, weaving in and out of traffic, or mechanical issues or road hazards that may cause a driver to swerve unexpectedly.
Yes, it’s a jungle out there on the roads, which is why the best drivers practice defensive driving, anticipating that those around them on the road will engage in unsafe driving practices that potentially could cause serious problems.
The Association for Safe International Road Travel claims that more than 37,000 people die in road crashes in the United States each year, and more than 2.3 million are injured or disabled. The organization reports that crashes cost an average of $820 per person. Worldwide, nearly 1.3 million people die each day from road crashes, which means 3,287 deaths per day, and an additional 20 million to 50 million people are injured or disabled. It’s the ninth-leading cause of death and accounts for more than 2 percent of all deaths globally, and it is expected to become the fifth-leading cause of death by 2030.
Aggressive driving is the cause of one-third of all traffic crashes, but hot on its heels are distracted drivers, those who are busy texting, talking or doing whatever else takes their eyes off the road. As smartphones become part of the fabric of daily living, the temptation to take our eyes off the road for “just an instant” can provide the impetus for an accident.
The United States Department of Transportation reports that in 3,328 people were killed in crashes caused by a distracted driver in 2012, up from 3,360 in 2011. The department also reports that 421,000 people were injured in crashes involving distracted driving.
With all the dangers on the road, it’s a wonder more people don’t stay home. We know that’s not going to happen, but here are a few drivers that are out there on the roads and a must to avoid:
1) Texters: Many driving experts consider texting the worst possible sin of driving because it involves so many elements of distraction, including holding the phone, looking down, composing the note and the mechanics of actually sending it. That requires a lot of inattention to what’s going on ahead of you, and because the reaction time for a vehicle traveling at even relatively slow speeds is simply a few seconds, it has the biggest potential for danger.
2) The Weaver – This is usually someone in a big hurry to get where they’re going or is simply impatient at the lack of progress on a busy day. The Weaver moves from lane to lane, often without signaling his or her intentions and can initiate unexpected braking from other vehicles when he or she jumps in front of the line.
3) The Speeder – We’ve all seen or been this driver, but speeding becomes particularly dangerous when heavy urban traffic with frequent stops and starts is the forum for this driver’s activities. It takes 20 feet to stop a car going 20 miles per hour, but it takes 80 feet to stop one going 40 miles per hour. The energy of a moving car is proportional to its mass times the square of its velocity, for those physics majors playing along at home. Simply put, you need to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front because it will take longer than you think to stop, particularly if your brakes are not in top condition.
4) The Tailgater – This is someone who keeps threatening to pass other cars by riding close to the bumper and constantly attempting to swerve around them. This is dangerous for other drivers not only because it takes their focus away from what’s in front to the rear of the vehicle, thus causing a hazard by not anticipating what’s ahead, but also because drivers don’t know when the other vehicle will pass and what actions needed to accommodate the tailgater.
5) The Inebriated Driver – This goes almost without saying. The driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol is unpredictable and careless, capable of almost any maneuver -- typically without signaling. It’s best to give this driver a wide berth, even pulling off the road to allow them to proceed to a safe distance away. And by all means do not hesitate to alert the authorities if you see someone you believe may be incapable of driving.
There are also road rage drivers (an extreme form of aggressive driving), inexperienced drivers (usually teens, but could be others who just obtained a license later in life, like former city dwellers), the elderly (poor reaction times and lessened physical skills mark them as dangerous), and people who are unfamiliar with the area and may slow down or even stop in the middle of the road to read a sign. All pose a significant road hazard and are a must to avoid.
The best bet if you’re driving is be prepared for the unexpected and try to anticipate what a driver may attempt to do. That will provide plenty of reaction time and allow you to navigate successfully away from any potential danger.