Driving Habits That Can Make You A Bad Driver Altogether

Do you know car driving? If you ask this question to ten people in the country the majority will have a positive answer to it. However, when you take the co-passenger seat next to them you will notice that they struggle even with basic etiquettes of driving a vehicle. One must understand that as a driver you hold a lot of responsibilities with respect to the safety of the occupants, pedestrians and other vehicles on the road.

So here we are listing 10 poor driving practices witnessed by many Indian car drivers. If you find any of the mentioned dismal habits surrounding you, make sure you iron it out at the earliest to ensure safe Indian roads for yourself and your loved ones.

Clutch Riding

If you own a car with manual transmission (MT) gearbox you need to ascertain that you are not riding the clutch whenever you are behind the wheel. If you manoeuvre the car via a clutch and accelerate high it will lead to the rapid deterioration of the pressure plates, clutch cable and clutch plates. Alongside, you also need to shun the habit of driving the car with the foot on the clutch pedal. Likewise, use handbrake all through uphill as clutch solely cannot be termed as a reliable option.

Switch-off Engine Downhill

Some drivers, or say, fuel-conscious drivers have this awful habit of putting off the engine when travelling downhill. This is not the greatest of ideas to save a negligible amount of fuel, which might even turn risky because cars are provided with power steering as well as power brakes, and the two stop functioning as soon as the ignition is turned off. Also, you will not be able to speed up in case an emergency takes place. Therefore, don’t switch off the engine when sailing plain or coming downhill.

AT Model: Left Foot Braking

If you have switched from MT (manual transmission) model car to an AT (automatic transmission) equipped one, this common error must be encircling you. Left foot in MT car is used to push down the clutch, which is a usual thing, however, when switched to MT model people tend to use the left foot to apply brakes. Here, it is highly recommended to utilize the right foot for braking as well as acceleration, while the left foot should be rested on the dead pedal.

Driving the Wrong Side

This sort of reckless driving is filled with various risks, hazards and is also illegitimate as per road laws in the country. Merely to save few ml(s) of fuel and hardly some minutes, drivers put their as well as of others life under threat and drive against the traffic flow. Stay away from such dangers by always using the U-turns and renounce from putting your and other road users live at risk.

Folded ORVMs

Yes, this is another poor habit of many Indian drivers. Keeping the Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs) folded constantly is not appreciated.  However, due to steep price label of some premium ORVMs, especially the electrically powered ones on luxury cars, many drivers refrain from opening them fearing damage. The ORVMs are meant for the safety of yours and others and should be open all the time despite traffic congestion to avoid any risky affair involving you.

Not Paying Heed To Traffic Signals

Young or old, some drivers find fun in jumping the traffic signals. These tricolour lights are put up for your and road users safety. Locating the junction unattended by traffic police and jumping the red light is not a great idea. This act of haste will make you reach your destination a few minutes or seconds earlier but at the risk of collision with the other person or vehicle. Instead of rushing insanely, manage your journey well and start your travel a bit early considering the city traffic conditions.

High Beam

Numerous head-on crashes on the Indian roads are reported due to high beam. Though, it should be avoided every time, unless you are passing through a dark street. However, if there’s two-way traffic on a single way road, then the high beam is strictly a big ‘No’. The high beam blinds the vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, which may cause a collision.

Tailgating

Driving too close to another vehicle is tailgating, and tailgating is very bad. Sticking closely to the front car or motorbike while riding is done as a gesture to ask, or rather dictate, for a way to overtake. This is an unsafe act, which may lead to an uninvited mishap. Hence, it’s always recommended to maintain a safe distance with the vehicle driving in front of you.

Too Much Honking

Excessive honking on a jam-packed traffic road won’t help you get out of it. We as drivers must acknowledge this bad driving practice and try to overcome it. You should understand that your excessive honking can easily irritate the fellow vehicle drivers, passengers and other road users, and you never know someone might not even hesitate in starting a quarrel or fight over it. Besides, avoiding unnecessary honking you should also limit or rather refrain from using the horn at silence zones, for e.g. hospital streets, schools, and residential localities.

Cutting Lanes

One of the major reasons for several road accidents on the highways in India is lack of lane obedience. Remember, the ‘fast lane’ or the lane at extreme right is dedicated for overtaking. Also, driving between two lanes is also a risky practice, which also provides high levels of inconvenience and might lend the following vehicle in two minds as to which lane you are about to proceed. Additionally, not using the side/turn indicators at the time of lane switch may baffle the driver behind you.

Inappropriate Use of Hazard Lamps

To flaunt style or to invite attraction, unnecessary usage of hazard lights among young Indian drivers is quite evident. As drivers, we must understand that as per road safety bible this vital car feature can only be used if the vehicle is stuck, or have broken down, right in the middle of the road preventing the way of other vehicles. Hazard light function is to warn other vehicle drivers about your situation on the road.

Use of Mobile Phones

The most common poor habit of countless Indian drivers and this fatal habit has even infected the bike/scooter users, even they talk over the phone while riding their two-wheelers. It’s a proven fact that the use of mobile phone while driving restricts your focus and you end up crashing into the other vehicle. Who doesn’t receive important or urgent phone calls while driving, however, it is best to attend the same only after you halt your vehicle at a side of the road.