When asked about their driving mistakes, some of the drivers will say;
“He came out of nowhere!”
“He’s not looking on his way!”
“I didn’t notice him coming!”
“They haven’t seen me yet!”
Rather than searching for root causes, some of the drivers tend to look for things to fault when an undesirable accident happens. But did you try asking yourself; is it really his fault? or maybe I am just careless with the way I drive?
As a truck driver, if you have obtained your truck licence training and passed your driving test, it is very important that you still remember the essential things you shouldn’t be doing when driving on the road.
Our MR Driving School QLD compiled the top 10 most common driving mistakes:
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Improper road turns
Some of the drivers are guilty of improper road turns. An example of this is when a driver wants to make a right turn and it is not made as close as possible to the right curb or even on the edge of the highway.
If you are having a difficult time learning the proper road positioning, Our MR Driving School QLD recommends looking for safe driving tips like how to properly position your vehicle on the road or if you want to acquire advance and hands-on driving techniques, find a qualified instructor who can guide and assist you in every step of your way. Also, one of the common things that you can do is to give hand signal every time that you’re about to change directions.
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Not wearing a seat belt
Seat belts play a very significant role in reducing the severity of injuries when you unintentionally hit a hard object. It will lessen the impact of facial or head injuries and will prevent you from being thrown out when you make a sudden stop. If you are the driver who doesn’t wear seat belts at all, it’s time to make a change. Buckle Up, someone is waiting for you and your family needs you!
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Allowing the tires to get flat
Maintaining a good tire pressure is important for safety and vehicle’s performance as they are your main weapon whilst driving on the road. For some drivers, tires are the last thing that they check. Preferably, you should be checking your tire condition and pressure frequently. Make sure that they are properly inflated. Also, take time to look if there are bulges and cracks on your tires.
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Tailgating other vehicles
Some of the drivers fail to keep a safe distance between the vehicle in front of them. As a result, rear-end crashes occur. This bad driving habit happens when a motorist tries to put pressure on the other driver in front to hurry up. To prevent this, maintain a proper following distance. You should drive three seconds behind the vehicle in front.
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Not looking for road hazards
Some drivers do not look at the possible road hazards whilst driving. This is not a good driving practice as you will find it difficult to respond to road dangers. You should be scanning the road all the time and leave enough ‘space cushion’ on all sides of your vehicle.
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Over speeding
Beside getting a ticket for over speeding, it might likewise bring about fatal crashes and serious inquiries. The faster you drive, the higher the impact when you hit a road hazard. Our MR Driving School QLD advises looking for speed limit signage and obey traffic rules.
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Lack of attention to the road
Some of the drivers are not giving much attention to the road. To avoid any minor jams, Our MR Driving School QLD suggest paying attention to the road when driving. This means you should avoid using your mobile phones for texting, calling or reading. Driving is not also a good time to listen to loud music.
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Not using your mirrors correctly
Mirrors are not just decorations in your vehicle. They are an important tool that will help you see a clear picture of your surroundings. Our MR Driving School QLD recommends ensuring that the mirrors are clean, clear and in the right position. Take time to look at your mirrors and make sure that you completely see what’s happening on your back, left side, and right side.
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Not turning your headlights on
It is a common mistake that drivers do. These headlights are designed to provide maximum road visibility, especially at night. It is used to improve visibility during bad weather condition. Make sure that your head lights are working properly and clean.
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Drink Driving
Driving requires extreme focus and attentiveness. You must be able to make quick decisions and react to sudden changes in your environment. Vehicular accidents happen because some of the drivers do not give their full concentration to the road. They feel drowsy and their road perception is very low. School of Transport says; Be a responsible drinker and avoid drinking alcohol, especially when getting behind the wheel.
It is understandable that sometimes you make driving mistakes. But following the tips mentioned above will give you safe and free-flowing driving experience.
