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“Those damned kids!” That, or some derivation thereof, is a common angry exclamation in vehicles nationwide. However, your, let’s say, advanced age isn’t a prerequisite for good driving habits. Not at all. Incidentally, you might be committing several of the common faux pas that bad drivers, regardless of age, make on a daily basis.

Don’t be one of the bad drivers making all-too-common mistakes like hesitating or ignoring those turn signals

Driving is a bit of a necessity in the United States. Unless you live in a dense, humming urban environment like New York, Boston, or Chicago, you likely need some sort of wheeled transportation to get where you need to go. However, the need to hit the road doesn’t excuse you from committing these street and safety sins as you drive. 

  • Failing to indicate a turn or lane change
  • Distracted driving
  • Following too closely
  • Excessive hesitation
  • Failing to check mirrors before a maneuver

Unless you’re a meme-bound BMW driver, there’s no excuse for failing to indicate your turns and lane changes. I once read an impassioned defense for ignoring that little stalk to the left of the steering wheel. In that case, the driver said something along the lines of, “I don’t want other people to know what I’m thinking.” As if driving is the World Series of Poker or something. All joking aside, many drivers, adult or otherwise, fail to signal before turning or changing lanes. Doing so can be downright dangerous. 

In addition to ignoring the indicators, many bad drivers hit the road with their attention elsewhere. Be it on their phone, passengers, or iced coffee. Tragically, over 3,300 Americans died due to distracted driving in 2022, per the NHTSA. Stay alert and stay alive.

Beyond the distractions, too many American drivers follow too closely and hesitate at intersections. Insufficient following distances can lead to crashes, injury, or worse. Moreover, hesitation at a busy intersection can send the wrong message to other motorists, resulting in misunderstandings and potential accidents.

Finally, your mirrors are there for reasons beyond aesthetics. Many bad drivers fail to check their mirrors before initiating moves like a lane change. The NHTSA reports that as much as a third of American motorists fail to use their mirrors properly. Don’t want to be a bad driver? Start by checking your mirrors.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).