11 Oct Common Driving Mistakes that Often Lead to Collisions
You probably already know that it’s not a good idea to speed, tailgate, or fail to stop at a stop sign. But you may be making some of these other common driving mistakes that could also lead to a collision. No matter how long you’ve been driving, it never hurts to brush up on the basics for safety’s sake.
Low Tire Pressure
Life is hectic. It’s hard to remember to check your tire pressure regularly, but it’s important to do so. Keep a pressure gauge in your vehicle and get in the habit of checking it every weekend. Add more air promptly when needed. Otherwise, you’ll be at an increased risk of a tire blowout, which will cause dramatic loss of control and possibly an accident.
Yellow Lights
The yellow light on a traffic signal is intended to caution drivers that they will soon be instructed to stop at the intersection. However, instead of slowing down, many drivers accelerate upon seeing the light change to yellow. This is a major cause of intersect collisions—and T-bone collisions can be particularly deadly. As long as there is sufficient distance between you and the intersection to safely stop when the light turns yellow, you should do so.
Lane Switching
Lane switching can be particularly hazardous. You should only switch lanes after checking your blind spot, not just your mirrors. And you should never switch lanes while executing a turn. Many people like to combine these two moves into one, but it really doesn’t save time, and it just might cost someone their life.
Daydreaming
You probably already know that checking your cellphone while driving is dangerous and illegal. (If you still do it anyway, stop!) But did you know that daydreaming can also be hazardous? Distracted driving can take many forms, including letting your attention wander from the task at hand, even if you aren’t actually trying to multitask while behind the wheel.
Even the most careful of drivers can make critical mistakes that can lead to accidents. We understand. At National Auto Collision Centers, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer care and performing top-quality collision repairs that restore the look and function of your vehicle. Call us in Tucson at (520) 623-4959.