The 10 Most Lethal Driving Mistakes

Most Lethal Driving Mistakes

From not buckling up to not getting enough shut-eye, here's a rundown of the 10 most common mistakes motorists make.

By Claire Martin of MSN Autos

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 37,313 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2008. If that isn't a reason to become a better driver, then we don't know what is.

In an ideal world, drivers would execute every road maneuver with precision and ease. Sadly, we do not live in a never-never land, and not everyone walks away from metal-to-metal mayhem. Truth is that drivers are not created equal. Some are too brash, others too conservative. Some are even downright clueless. The common thread is that they can all turn a pleasant day on the motorway into a surreal nightmare in the blink of an eye.

And don't just blame it on "them." Everyone is guilty of making common driving mistakes that can endanger us all. Think about it: We'll bet you can recall with vivid exasperation a whole litany of stupid moves you've made throughout the years — some benign, some not so much. To help you stay safe behind the wheel, here's a list of 10 driving behaviors to avoid.

Swerving

The No. 1 fatal mistake made by drivers is perhaps the most simple: not staying in their own lane — i.e., running off the road or drifting into the adjacent lane. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007, 15,574 people died in crashes where the driver simply couldn't stay in the lane.

Driving While Drowsy

"Driving a vehicle when you are fatigued is as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs," National Transportation Safety Board Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker said after a fatal highway accident in 2003 in which a college student who had been awake for the previous 18 hours was driving a carload of fellow students at 5 a.m. According to the NHTSA, in 2007 fatigued driving caused the deaths of 1,404 people, and more traffic fatalities occurred during the hours when most people are accustomed to being asleep (3 a.m. to 6 a.m.) than at any other time of day.

Drinking and Driving

Every 40 minutes someone dies in a drunk-driving accident. (In all 50 states, a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more is considered illegal, but a little-known fact is that you can be charged with driving while impaired even if you're under the legal limit.) Young drivers are particularly prone to drinking and driving: The 21- to 34-year-old set is responsible for well over half of alcohol-infused fatal crashes. Not surprisingly, the decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated is made most often at night and on the weekends. According to the NHTSA, 60 percent of drivers who died after dark in 2007 were legally drunk. Alcohol is also a factor in half of pedestrian traffic deaths — both drivers and pedestrians are the culprits.

Overcorrecting

You get panicky when the wheels of your SUV hit the rumble patch on the shoulder of the highway, so you throw the steering wheel in the opposite direction to get the vehicle back on the road. This is a classic example of overcorrecting or oversteering, and it's a particularly perilous maneuver when you're behind the wheel of an SUV driving on the highway at high speeds. Consider it a rollover waiting to happen. More than 4 percent of automobile fatalities a year occur because of drivers overcorrecting.

Discuss: What is the most dangerous thing you've done behind the wheel?

Speeding

Racing, driving faster than the posted speed limit or simply going too fast for road conditions — i.e., speeding — comprises the second highest cause of death in fatal crashes, according to the NHTSA. Once you hit 55 mph, you're in the danger zone: 30 percent of fatalities occur at 55 or above. The worst-case scenarios invariably involve speeding without wearing a seat belt or a motorcycle helmet. Fatality rates for speeding motorcyclists are shockingly high: In 2007, speeding was a factor in 36 percent of motorcycle fatalities. Of those, 41 percent of drivers and more than half of passengers were not wearing helmets (only 20 states and the District of Columbia require helmets).

Failure to Yield Right of Way

For drivers age 70 and above, failing to yield while merging into traffic is the top cause of crashes. In a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers 80 and older simply fail to see the other vehicle they should be yielding to. Drivers 70 to 79 see the vehicle but misjudge whether they have time to proceed ahead of it. Failure to yield right of way was the fifth leading cause of fatal crashes in 2007.

Your Teen's First Car

I often get questions from my clients about the type of car they should buy for their teen. There is usually a great divide between the type of car the teen desires and what the parents are willing to buy from both a safety and cost perspective.

Choosing wisely will save you money on your insurance premiums and could even save your child's life. Officer Poer, who has many years experience investigating traffic accidents, provides some helpful guidance in his article below.

Perhaps you already have multiple cars, one of which your teen will be driving, and they don't meet the specifications below. If you can't afford another car, take steps to make the ones you have safer.

Particularly if these cars are sports cars, which by their design tempt everyone to speed, consider installing a monitoring system to help offset this temptation. You can learn more about the monitoring system we offer by contacting our agency or visiting our website.

I wish you and your family the best in health and happiness! P.S. Please feel free to call my office at 256-765-2200 if you have any questions or to find out how you can get the right protection at the lowest cost for your family.

The Best Car for Your Teen

by Master Police Officer James Poer

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), "young novice drivers are at significant risk on the road because they lack both the judgment that comes with maturity and the skill that comes with experience." From my many years of experience investigating traffic accidents I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment and believe it is important for parents to do whatever they can to reduce the risks of driving for their teens.

The best car for your teen is the one that provides the greatest amount of safety. Instead of purchasing or letting your teen drive a large SUV (which has a higher center of gravity and thus is more likely to turn over) or a sports car, (which encourages speeding), select a midsize car no older than a 90's model, to make sure you get the best safety features (air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and mechanical seat belts).

Try to determine the crash test rating of a car before purchasing it. A few examples of cars that performed well in recent crash test ratings according to the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are:

• Chevrolet Impala
• Ford Fusion
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Passat

Additionally, make sure the car is reliable and in good mechanical condition. Choose a car that is easy and comfortable for the teen to drive. Make sure your child can reach all the features with ease. Take the time to make sure your teen understands all the features of the car before leaving the driveway.

How many times have you been distracted by searching for windshield wiper and light switches when driving a car that was new to you? Your teen is not prepared to handle these distractions well. So it is up to you to prevent them.

Fatal crashes involving young drivers are usually one-vehicle crashes and are often due to driver-error and/or speeding. Take the time to choose a safe car and do everything possible to reduce the chance of your teen making these mistakes.

Are You Negatively Impacting Your Teen's Driving Behavior?

We read a lot about the reasons that teenage drivers are more likely to have accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Speed, over correction, and distractions in the car are cited as being some of the most frequent contributors to teenage driving accidents.

But, let’s take a moment to examine your teen’s state of mind when they get into the car, or while they are in it with you. To promote your teen’s safety behind the wheel, do your best to provide him with an emotionally supportive and safe environment at home. Angry or emotionally upset teenage drivers are more inclined to rebel through some form of wild behavior, such as speeding or reckless driving. Monitor your teen carefully before allowing him to drive if you know he’s upset.

Additionally, if you’re one of those committed parents who are providing driver training to your teenage child, you need to make sure you exhibit patience and control your reactions to their mistakes. Parents over reacting emotionally can be as dangerous as teenagers over correcting the car. Consider the following questions:

1. Does my teenage child know that it’s ok to make mistakes? Or does he think I’ll lose it if he does?
2. If he models my driving behavior, will he be safe? Or am I guilty of many of the actions I’m coaching him to avoid?
3. Is my teen too stressed to drive safely? Am I contributing to that stress?
4. Have I made my teenage driving expectations clear?
5. Does my teenager understand the consequences of breaking the teenage driving rules we’ve established?
6. Do I spend too much energy worrying about what could happen?

The more you worry about anything, the worse that situation becomes, because worry wears you down and makes you less effective. Even when it comes to parenting, our kids don’t need us to worry about them; they need us to believe in them. Believing in your child’s inherently positive potential supports his belief in himself, which is something he needs to accept responsibilities and overcome challenges.

For more information on how to keep your teen driver safe and for copies of teen/parent contracts visit our website www.TeenDriverInsurance.com/AllAmerican which is dedicated soley to helping parents help their teen drivers become safer drivers.

Ask Any Parent...

Ask any parent who has just added a kid to the family's insurance policy and they'll tell you how expensive it is to have a teen behind the wheel. But the overall cost of teen driving is as tragic as it is staggering.

According to a recent report from AAA, car accidents involving drivers 15 to 17 cost society more than $34 billion in medical expenses, property damage and related costs in 2006. AAA also reports, in 2006 drivers ages 15 to 17 were involved in approximately 974,000 crashes that injured 406,427 people and killed 2,541. Here are more sobering statistics:

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. teens, accounting for 36 percent of all deaths in this age group.

The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group, and per-miles-driven teens ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Risk is highest at age 16, and the crash rate per miles driven is twice as high for 16 year olds as it is for 18 and 19 year olds, according to the IIHS.

IIHS statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger.

Parents can reduce the high cost of insuring their teen drivers. There are special discounts that can really make a big difference in how much you will have to pay for your teen to drive. Some of these discounts include:

1. Good Student- If you teen driver has a "B" average or better, you can save up to 10%.
2. Multi-policy- If you insure your home and cars with the same company, you can save up to 15% on both policies
3. GPS Teen Driver Monitoring System- There is one company that offers a 15% discount for installing this unit in the teen driver's car
4. Safe Driver- If your family has a clean driving and claims record, you can save up to 15%
5. Good credit- Some companies reward responsible customers based on their credit. This can be very significant and can save you as much as 35%.

The bottom line is that the most responsible families will pay the lowest premium. Stress to your teen that avoiding tickets and accidents is most critical to not only keeping your insurance rates down, but of course, assure the safety of your teen driver and others.

You can learn more about ways to save on your insurance and how you can keep your teen safe by calling Toll-free at 866-765-2200.

Avoiding Road Rage

Avoid Heated Moments Behind the Wheel Don’t Be a Victim – Or the Cause – of Road Rage

Road construction delays, soaring gas prices and traffic that seems to never let up are only a few reasons that spark moments of frustration and even aggression in drivers.

Aggressive drivers—those who tailgate, cut others off, run red lights, honk their horns, yell or make obscene gestures—are a danger to themselves and others. If you are an aggressive driver—or should you come into contact with one—your safety and that of your passengers and others on the road is seriously compromised.

Stress from off-the-road situations such as problems at work, the loss of a job, a divorce, or the death of a loved one can trigger road rage, even in a person who normally practices safe driving habits.

“Aggressive driving can affect anyone. Even drivers who are usually calm can get angry or frustrated and act out those feelings in dangerous ways,” says Allstate agent Bill Gough. “In addition, poor traffic conditions such as crowded roads and traffic jams can be the ‘last straw’ for a driver who is already stressed or upset.”

To protect yourself and others from the hazards of aggressive driving, Allstate recommends the following:

• Don’t drive when angry—Take time to cool off. Go for a walk, breathe deeply, talk to someone, or, if you’re already driving, pull over and wait until your heart rate and breathing have slowed before getting back on the road.
• Think positively about driving—Take pride in driving safely and always consider how your driving might affect others.
• Chill out—Listen to soothing music, allow plenty of time to reach your destination, avoid traffic jams or choose less busy roads, and keep up with traffic and weather reports to learn of delays or hazards.
• Give ‘em a break—If a driver goes too slowly, hesitates at an intersection, or annoys you in some other way, don’t loose your temper. The driver may have good reason for his or her behavior. When another driver is being aggressive, keep your cool.
• Let it pass—Move to another lane when you can and let the other driver pass.
• Avoid eye contact—The driver of the other vehicle may take your look as a challenge and become even more aggressive.
• Go to a safe place if you are followed—Drive to the nearest police station, gas station, or other safe haven with plenty of people. If you have a cell phone, call the police with details or the incident – including the aggressive driver’s license plate number.

For more information on this or other safety topics, contact Allstate agent Bill Gough at 256-765-2200

IIHS Proposes Increasing Minimum Driving Age

By Steve Shoutlz, Family and Teen Driver Protection Specialist The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety recently announced their proposal to increase the minimum driving age in all states in the US to age 17. Their reasons are solid and should help reduce the number of accidents involving teenagers. The Graduated Drivers License program that almost every state has adopted has proven to work. Numbers of teen driver accidents and fatalities have decreased every year since its inception. The GDL program basically adds more supervised driving experience for teens and restricts them from driving during the times when risk is highest. However, more than 5,000 teens are killed in car accidents every year! Although teens and many parents may not like this change, parents should understand that there are two primary reasons why 16 year olds are most likely to get into accidents- inexperience and immaturity. Parents can help their child get the experience by spending time supervising their teen behind the wheel. Maturity, on the other hand, can only come with age. The GDL program gives the teen more time for experience but it doesn’t address the problem of immaturity. 16 year olds have the highest crash rate and fatalities of any age group and it’s largely due to peer pressure and not realizing the dangers they face. 16 year olds tend to think they are invincible behind the wheel and when other teens in their car urge them to drive fast, they cave into such pressures much easier. Whether this proposal is passed in Alabama or not, there are steps parents can take to reduce the likelihood of their child causing an accident. Get a home study driving course and spend as much time possible teaching your teen the skills needed to drive safely. Delay the time before your teen gets a full license. This will help your teen mature and give you more time to supervise your teen’s driving. This will also show how serious you are about their safety. Get a GPS Teen Monitoring System. This will instantly reduce the likelihood of your teen driving dangerously. If your teen knows that you’ll be alerted, they will be less tempted to speed or break any other rules that you’ve set forth. Talk to your teen about the dangers. Communication is probably the most effective way to make your teen a safer driver. Share the statistics and the most common mistakes teens make. Then get a contract in writing that states that your teen understands the dangers and will follow the rules you have set forth. You can download a free parent/teen driver contract by clicking here: http://www.TeenDriverInsurance/AllAmerican