Car accidents only take a moment to change the lives of everyone involved. While on the road, there is very little someone can do to stop a reckless or negligent driver. When reckless driving causes more than 16,000 accidents every day, safe drivers need to know the reckless driver’s signs before it is too late. Spotting these signs can give you the time you need to avoid disaster:
Irregular speeds
A driver who is not paying attention to what they are doing may not be aware of their speed. If you notice a driver suddenly braking to meet the speed limit or speeding up to do so, you can also be that they are not aware of their surroundings.
Trouble driving straight
A driver who does not seem to be able to stay inside their lane may be experiencing any number of issues, ranging from distraction from food or cell phones to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Road rage
A driver who is expressing signs of road rage, such as extreme tailgating, excessive use of the car horn, or rapidly pursuing another driver is a major danger to those around them. Getting too close to these drivers may put you and your passengers in jeopardy.
Speeding
A driver who speeds past you is not incapable of harming you, even if you cannot see them down the road. Someone who speeds past you may cause an accident further down the road. The resulting accident can be the catalyst of your serious injuries.
Cell phone usage
Talking on a cell phone or texting can be one of the largest distractions on the road nowadays. If someone is regularly looking toward their lap, it may be because they are using their phone behind the wheel. At night, cell phone usage is more apparent when the phone is illuminating the driver’s face.
How to react to these signs
If you see these signs or other signs that may indicate someone is a reckless driver, put some distance between the two of you. Try to avoid speeding past the other driver, as it may startle them into causing an accident. Simply allow the at-risk driver to pull ahead of you and maintain your focus on them to ensure you can avoid any accidents they may cause.
