Tips

Bad Driving Habits to Avoid

Compiling a list of bad driving habits that compromise safety while operating a vehicle.

30 January, 2024

126

Driving in heels

For women, high heels are often an essential accessory when dressing up for work, meeting friends, or attending an event. However, if you are in the driver’s seat, this can be a disaster. High heels have narrow heels that can easily get caught in the floor of the car, making it difficult to control the pedals. This can lead to unexpected accidents.

Driving in heels is a bad habit that compromises safety. (Illustration: Internet)

Therefore, if you are going to be driving, both men and women should wear flat, well-fitted shoes that are comfortable and allow for confident control of the vehicle.

Wearing headphones while driving

You are waiting for an important call and, of course, you don’t want to be holding your phone in one hand while driving or disturbing other passengers. So, you think it’s reasonable to wear headphones?

This is not a good idea because when wearing headphones, you tend to focus on the sound coming from this small device and not pay attention to other warning sounds (such as horns from other cars, calls from outside…).

Using the phone while driving

According to Article 3, Clause 5 of Decree 46/2016/ND-CP on administrative penalties for road and railway traffic violations, drivers using their phones while driving can be fined from 600,000 to 800,000 VND and have their driver’s license suspended for 1 to 3 months.

Using a phone while driving distracts drivers and prevents them from reacting in unexpected situations. (Illustration: Internet)

With the mentioned penalty, drivers should be aware of using their phones while driving. This behavior can also distract us from controlling the vehicle, leading to a higher risk of accidents.

Traveling with pets in the car

It would be a terrible idea to bring pets along in the car. What would prevent the pet from causing chaos while you are holding the steering wheel?

Moreover, petting or cuddling them also reduces your focus, and simply the long tail of the pet can unintentionally obstruct your vision for a few seconds… which can lead to serious consequences.

Drinking alcohol

Whether your blood alcohol concentration is high or low, driving after consuming alcohol is extremely risky. Alcohol affects the central nervous system, causing hallucinations, loss of focus, decreased control and concentration, and increasing the risk of collisions in unexpected situations.

Driving after consuming alcohol is a bad habit that compromises safety for yourself and others. (Illustration: Internet)

Do not put yourself and those around you in that dangerous situation at any time, for any reason.

Therefore, whether you are driving a modern luxury car or an old one, always remember not to drink alcohol before putting your hands on the steering wheel.

Speeding up at a yellow light

If you accelerate when the traffic light turns yellow, you will block the path of those who have the green light on the opposite lane. This is a bad habit as it can lead to serious accidents. Therefore, when you encounter a yellow light, drivers should proactively slow down to prepare to stop at the red light.

Failing to maintain the vehicle properly

Forgetting the maintenance process can result in additional costs for repairs. Proper vehicle maintenance also helps prolong the lifespan of the vehicle. Vehicle owners should also maintain the habit of checking the brakes, replacing worn tires, and other components to ensure safe operation.

According to VTC