The road is like a battlefield; well, at least for drivers. Being a driver is a big responsibility. It’s not easy, and it definitely requires skills and a lot of concentration and alertness to be one. At the moment you are the one holding the steering wheel, you are a powerful human being. You are accountable for your life and for others’. Why? Because one of the most common causes of deaths in many countries occurs on the road. This world has countless roads where innumerable vehicles travel in, and you never know when mishaps might happen.
Do not aim to be just a cool-looking driver. Be that inspiring one because of your carefulness and discipline on the road, combined with great skills and defensiveness matched with humility. Yes, driving needs them all balanced!
For you to veer away from being the kind of driver that everyone hates and that receives traffic violations, of course, you must NOT be irresponsible and thoughtless! Always think smartly before you drive and while you do so! Read through this list of reckless driver actions that lead to common road accidents. Make sure that you DO NOT do these and that you take time to warn fellow drivers too!
[1] COUNTERFLOWING
Lanes are designed precisely to set boundaries among vehicles. Especially for cars going towards two different directions, drivers must always pay attention to the lanes and keep them followed.
Counterflowing is the act of driving towards a lane of oppositely moving vehicles. This happens frequently when there’s no island or division between the two opposite lanes. It’s like stealing the lane that does not belong to you in the first place. Running against the traffic’s direction is extremely dangerous! Many drivers do this to get ahead of other vehicles. Not only motorists do this but even drivers of cars and big vehicles like trucks. Tsk tsk.
When you counterflow, you are disorganizing the designated flow of road traffic. That is one of the main reasons for traffic jams. What’s worse, when one car does it, the others at the back of it follow. Ugh, annoying, especially for the vehicles who have the right of way.
Head-on collisions are usually caused by counterflowing. One more bad scenario is when a car counterflows a lane with blind spots for the incoming car. If you do that, you are really calling death to pick you up in an instant!
Overtaking, even cautiously, alone is a different kind of risk. How much more is a reckless counterflow. Do not ignore those double yellow line markings telling drivers not to go beyond. Come on, drive where you should be.
[2] IGNORING INTERSECTION LINE MARKINGS
The yellow box with an X is the line marking on the road signifying an intersection. As you know, an intersection is a spot where vehicles may come from 2 or more different directions.
For intersections guided by traffic lights, the attention of drivers are caught to obey road regulations. The conflict sets foot in streets and big roads where the traffic flow is based on the drivers’ own give-and-take strategy.
You guessed it right, man! Crashes happen when drivers do not give way for others. When you are too greedy, you attract accidents; worse, you invite other people for inconvenience.
Bear in mind that it is a huge must to slow down the car, turn your eyes to all directions before crossing an intersection! Never ever ignore the line markings completely intended for safe road flow.
[3] TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
Here’s one of the baddest habits a driver could ever have in his lifetime: Texting while driving! No matter how urgent that text is, please never risk your life for that single message!
If the text is due to an emergency, pull off the car to a safe side or to an emergency bay. That’s where you can answer the text or send one without having to fear for your life.
When you are texting as you drive, your mind is actually more focused on the mobile phone because you’re constructing an important message. Driving becomes the second priority of your head. You are distracted from your driving attention. That opens more opportunities for road accidents to happen.
“It’s no big deal because there were no other cars around.” What if a person suddenly crosses the street? What if a bicycle pops out of nowhere? What if a dog is on the road? What if it’s a dead end? And you are not aware because you’re texting? You’re doomed.
No excuses! Don’t text while driving. PERIOD.
[4] TAILGATING
One of the top reasons why enrolling in a driving school is very ideal to learn driving in the best way is that it really teaches you the basics and the complexities of the road and of driving.
Tailgating is a no-no. Some drivers are not fully aware of the importance of maintaining safe distance because there were no driving instructors who taught them the significance of it! They might know it, but they are not really concerned as much as they should be.
Getting too close to the car in front of yours is bringing yourself close to harm too. No matter how impatient you are already feeling because they are too slow, do not drive too close to their back. The right distance prepares you to adjust in cases of its abrupt stops or turns.
Rear-end collisions are the result of tailgating. This could happen also if the driver is not paying attention to the front, which is not something a skillful driver does! If you want to go ahead of the slow car, overtake it WITH CARE! You know what that means. On the other hand, if there’s no chance to overtake, just lengthen the strings of your patience!
BE RESPONSIBLE, NOT RECKLESS
Taking risks as you drive is one crazy thing to do. The reality is that it’s something many drivers do, but listen, TIMING is important. If ever you will take some risks on the road, see to it that it’s not too risky that it would cost your life or someone else’s! Confused? For example, you may counterflow if ever you are really in a hurry, as long as there is no car coming from your behind or front. Use the hazard signal light to inform other drivers that you need to go quickly. Hopefully, that’s clear enough to enlighten you of what “risks” are somehow valid on the road and how they should be executed.
Remember, safety is always first! Accidents might be just around the corner if you allow them. Drive wisely and with a license. Be responsible, not reckless!
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Travel, health, shopping, lifestyle and business are among the many subjects she writes about. Through quality and well-researched writing, she informs and even entertains readers about things that matter. She is also interested in film critiquing and filmmaking. Giving all the glory to God, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
