Things that bad drivers do regularly

We often encounter what we consider bad drivers on the road, but what makes a habitual bad driver? Many drivers can have an off day, where they are not driving as well as they can, but to label them as bad drivers may not be entirely accurate.  A bad driver repeatedly ignores the rules and regulations of the road, has no respect for other road users and often speeds or drives recklessly. 

Driving distractions

A bad driver will continually ignore the rules of driving without distractions.  A distraction is anything that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road, such as using a handheld mobile phone or eating and drinking while driving; some drivers have been caught applying make-up or have had a bump while trying to work the sat nav or use the infotainment.  Any distraction from driving can cause issues, such as harsh last-minute braking, failing to indicate or not seeing cyclists. It is vital that all distractions are kept to a minimum; if you have a Sat Nav, make sure you set up a route before you drive, and use Bluetooth technology to take or make calls while driving. As well as being very dangerous, using a mobile phone can land you with penalty points and a fine.

Speeding

Continually ignoring speed limits can cause issues for the driver, other road users and pedestrians. A speeding driver is caught every few minutes in the UK, and in 2023, over 2.1 million drivers had a speeding penalty, with over 216,000 caught in 20mph zones. Many bad drivers will use the motorways as a race track and can dangerously merge lanes or undertake to keep up the speed but will have to brake harshly when spotting a camera. If you come across a reckless driver on the motorway, it is best to stay back as far as possible so as not to be caught up in any issues they may cause further along the route.

Tailgating drivers

Many drivers have experienced a driver tailgating them, as is a classic trademark of a bad driver. This can be very stressful, especially for new drivers; a tailgater can often pressure you to drive faster than you feel safe to do so. It takes courage not to be pressured by other drivers. If you feel pressured to drive faster and receive a speeding penalty, you can not use the excuse that another driver was pressuring you; that will not wash, so it is most important to deal with tailgaters in such a way that you are not putting yourself at any risk. If you are being tailgated, find the next safe space to pull over and let them pass. Often, tailgating can result in road rage incidents, so it is crucial to always stay as courteous as possible with all drivers and not get angry; just move away from the situation as safely and calmly as possible.

Tired drivers

Even the best drivers can get fatigued while driving, but the bad ones will ignore the signs and endeavour to drive on.  While it is pretty difficult to calculate exact sleep-related accidents, it is said to account for up to 20% of collisions in the UK and over a quarter of fatalities. Driving while tired can significantly reduce a driver’s vigilance and lessen reaction times and alertness. While there are no exact laws for sleeping at the wheel, any driver who kills another while driving can be looking at being charged with death by dangerous driving, and that can mean prison time and unlimited fines. It is easy to spot the signs of tiredness, and a good driver will park up, have a coffee, take a short nap, or swap driving with a passenger.  A good driver will plan routes to take in plenty of rest stops to ensure they are not fatigued. A bad driver will ignore signs and possibly end up in an accident, which can involve others. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, so it is important to realise this and take precautions.

If you’re only a very short distance from home and very tired, it may be unrealistic to suggest stopping for a coffee – but all it takes is a second or two to cause a sleep-related driving disaster – regardless of how far from home you are. In such instances, wind down the window, turn up the stereo, talk aloud, think of something interesting – anything which can ward off sleep until you get home. If these still don’t help, no matter how far from home you are, you will need to stop. Even if it’s for a 5 min rest.

Driving style

Many drivers, often younger males, drive in a slouched and reclined position, with one hand on the gear stick.  A poor seating potion can mean that you cannot see mirrors efficiently and have limited steering ability. It may look cool, but it is not advantageous for driving.  Ask yourself this – how many top-flight rally drivers sit with their seat right back with one hand on the gear stick? The answer – none. The perfect setting position is upright with a slight bend in the arms. If you want superior car control, make sure you do this.