Why Dangerous Drivers Are Commonplace

Wrong-way driving, DUIs, road rage, and other blatantly lethal, illegal activities are usually the first things that come to mind when describing a “dangerous” driver in Arizona. However, those situations are only the extremes, and not the majority, of the dangerous driver epidemic. In reality, many motorists choose to engage in relatively less lethal, yet dangerous driving behaviors, meaning that you’re inevitably surrounded by multiple negligent or reckless drivers oftentimes.

“Innocent” Distractions and Impairments

One of the most common causes of low-grade dangerous driving is a simple lack of awareness or lack of understanding of how certain activities can impair one’s driving, such as:

• Drowsy driving is extremely commonplace, as almost every motorist will experience exhaustion behind the wheel or even fall asleep while driving at some point in their life. Any amount of fatigue while driving is enough to drastically impair you, so never brush it off or assume you can stay alert by any other means than sleeping.
• Eating while driving is almost identical to texting and driving despite not being illegal, as it takes your hands and mind off of the road at a bare minimum. Wait to have your meal until you pull over, and always keep both hands on the steering wheel.
• Talking and taking calls are often overlooked, but nonetheless constitute distractions that take your mind away from the task of driving. While exchanging a few words in the car isn’t inherently dangerous, some people take it too far and engross themselves in distracting conversations.

Negligence and Overconfidence

Alternatively, drivers may willingly choose to engage in definitively illegal and unsafe activities, usually

 out of overconfidence in their ability to manage the risks, or as a result of not prioritizing their own safety and the safety of others above personal affairs. 

• Speeding is the most common traffic violation overall, as many motorists drive with the expectation to exceed speed limits by at least 5-10 miles per hour. Fatal speeding accidents are extremely common, and you can be pulled over for exceeding the speed limit by as little as one mile per hour. Don’t risk it.
• Choosing not to buckle up is most common in parking lots and residential roads, but can affect any motorist regardless of location. Failing to use a seat belt is often a result of a lack of care for one’s safety, but in practice, you’re also jeopardizing others by doing so, as you can become a projectile and hit other motorists if ejected from the vehicle.
• Driving aggressively is often confused for road rage, but the two are distinct. Road rage is a physical attack towards others, whereas aggressive driving is a commonplace, rude behavior in which one honks unreasonably, cuts others off, speeds, weaves between traffic, or otherwise drives recklessly.
• Texting behind the wheel is illegal under Arizona’s texting and driving laws, but many drivers choose to do it nonetheless, assuming that they can send quick texts without being caught or compromising their ability to drive. This is incorrect, as texting inherently demands your eyes, hands, and mind.

Talk to an Arizona Auto Accident Attorney

No matter how safely you drive, you could still end up in an accident at the hands of a reckless, negligent driver. If you’ve been hurt in one such crash, it’s vital that you talk to one of ELG’s Arizona auto accident attorneys as soon as possible to learn more about how you can file for compensation. You can schedule your free consultation by calling us at (623) 877-3600 to get started, giving you the opportunity to ask a legal professional about the claims process.