In addition to staying alert and sober, you can make the road a better place by adopting good driving habits. So, please, we implore you to steer clear of these five common driving mistakes and choose safety in 2025.
You can make American roads and highways much safer by cutting these common driving mistakes out of your life
We get it. Driving with modern amenities and an automatic transmission or CVT can allow your mind to wander. However, distracted driving isn’t the only street sin you might be committing while behind the wheel. American motorists commit these five faux pas nearly constantly.
- Changing lanes without using a turn signal
- Driving with one hand on top of the wheel
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Driving slowly (or too quickly) in the passing lane
- Turn or change lanes without checking your mirrors
I’ll wait for the BMW jokes. All joking aside, your turn signal, or “indicator,” lets other motorists know what you plan to do next. As a result, they can adjust their speed and potentially avoid an accident. Using your signal isn’t just proper driving etiquette; it’s the law.
Have you ever seen a Formula 1 driver pilot a bleeding-edge performance car with their hand at the “12 o’clock” position? How about a seasoned rally driver? In many racing applications, cars will use yokes with nine-and-three grips. Incidentally, gripping your wheel at the top can compromise car control and lead to fatigue, per Driven Car Guide.
Using your brakes effectively can save your life. However, if you’re following another vehicle too closely, even full stopping force and a quick reaction time might not be sufficient to stop you in time. Consequently, drivers should observe a three-second rule.
Drivers have strong opinions about the passing lane, oft mischaracterized as the “fast lane.” Indeed, it is tempting for many motorists to merge onto a highway and hang out in the passing lane. However, regardless of speed, the passing lane is best used for just that: passing.
Finally, if you change lanes on the highway or make a turn without checking your mirrors, you’re in the wrong. Even with safety features like blind spot monitoring (BSM), motorists may miss small or fast-moving vehicles if they don’t frequently refer to their mirrors.
