Some drivers are worse than others, no matter how proficient they think they are. But how can you spot a bad driver to stay away from them? With so many cars on the road, knowing who is and isn’t following the rules can be difficult.
How you can spot a bad driver
You can find out if someone is a bad driver if you see them:
- Going slow in the left lane: Some people have a “slower is safer” mentality when it comes to the left lane. However, that practice is often far from safe. Driving slow in the left lane can hold up the traffic flow and create a lose-lose situation for any motorist wanting to pass them.
- Passing in the right lane: Have you ever been passed in the right lane? It probably caught you off guard. When drivers do this, it can put you and other motorists in danger. That’s because people don’t always check their right blind spots as often as their left ones.
- Brake-checking constantly: If you’re driving behind someone who brake-checks you, it can put you in a dangerous situation. It can force you to apply your brakes quickly. And then, if the person behind you isn’t paying attention, it could result in a pileup.
- Tailgating you: There’s often nothing more annoying than someone riding your back bumper on the highway. And you know that the moment you brake, the driver behind you could smash right into you.
- Not using their turn signals: Turn signals help communicate your next move with other drivers. And when drivers make a move without using their turn signal, it can spell disaster for you and other motorists. That’s because it can cause you to make an impulsive move to avoid them, potentially causing an accident involving someone else.
- Not using their headlights in bad weather: Whether it’s a thunderstorm, blizzard or foggy skies, your headlights are crucial for navigating nasty weather. When other drivers don’t turn theirs on, seeing their vehicle can become much more difficult, creating an additional risk for you and other motorists.
- Generally distracted: Distracted driving can come in many forms. Whether someone is talking on the phone, texting, eating or trying to calm their kids down, their actions can have severe and sometimes fatal consequences for other motorists.
Keep your distance to protect yourself
Whether driving around Indiana or elsewhere in the United States, you’ll come across your fair share of bad drivers. But you can keep your distance when you know how to spot them. That gives you time to react, avoid danger, and get you and your passengers safely where you need to go.
