Driving is a huge responsibility, and it takes the training, knowledge, and the willingness to follow traffic rules at all times. Unfortunately, human nature is unpredictable, and slip-ups can happen for various reasons. They won’t just not cost you a rise in car insurance payments and a pile of tickets. Avoidable offenses can cost lives – yours, your loved ones, and of others.
The following is a list of the worst offenses you can ever make as a driver:
- Driving While Texting
Your smartphone should not be touched at all while you’re driving. Both your hands should be on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Many devastating accidents resulted from texting with one hand or taking calls. When you get caught, it goes to your record. Your insurance premium increases, and that can hurt your saving goals.
- Driving While Impaired
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs makes you a danger on the road and to society. There are already countless crashes caused by DWI driving. If you’ve gone to an event and had a few drinks, call for a cab service, or a trusted person to drive you home. Driving while impaired isn’t only going to cost you your license. In serious cases, you may need to seek out a DWI lawyer to help you to avoid jail time.
- School Zone Speeding
Even if you truly have no regard for your own life, it’s a whole new level when you decide to burn rubber anywhere near a school, especially when the children are just getting out. It is considered a major offense as it endangers their young lives. You are likely to get a hefty fine for it.
- Not Stopping For Police
The authorities man the roads to keep it safe. Failing to stop and park alongside the road when the police request you to is more likely to raise suspicions. You’ll be forced to stop, and they’ll investigate why you failed to halt the first time.
- Ignoring The Red Light
If you chose to run red lights or stop at signages, this failure will likely get you a ticket. Following traffic signals are among the first lessons you were taught at driving school. Even as you want to make haste, remember that the police can take your hard-earned license away from you. The next time you’re tempted, think about all the inconveniences, slow down on a yellow light and stop at red to avoid accidents.
- Careless Driving
There are many ways you can commit driving without due care and attention. It can be from inappropriately changing lanes, eating or drinking while driving, or taking your eyes off the road to change stations and make a swerve. Punishments range from high fines to disqualification and penalties.
A simple lack of focus can cost lives, and those affected may pursue a case against you. It’s also why driverless cars are a welcome addition on the road. As more and more drivers are selfishly multitasking on the road instead of focusing on driving, autonomous vehicles are expected to help reduce the risk of accidents.
- Uninsured Driving
Getting the least amount of insurance dictated by the law is a mandatory requirement for all vehicle owners. If you’re caught with a traffic violation without enough insurance, companies will raise your premium once you start inquiring. Both your violation and underinsured driving makes you a high-risk driver who will eventually cost these insurance companies a lot of money if you cause an accident.
- Driving Over The Speed Limit
A stretch of seemingly empty road isn’t a good reason to try your luck and drive over 50km/h or more. The authorities are always guarding the road to ensure that irresponsible drivers are pulled off the road before they cause a car crash. As it is another major offense, you could go to prison if your recklessness led to the loss of lives.
Unfortunately, even professionals who should care about how fast they drive are deliberately neglecting its importance. Educating and awareness should not only apply to new drivers, but to everyone.
In Conclusion
A driver’s license gives you the right to operate a vehicle, not to commit offenses that can cost lives. No matter the reason, committing these offenses is never worth it. The devastation of car crashes goes beyond lost lives as those left behind are mentally and emotionally affected for life. Take care behind the wheel, and you’ll go far in life without causing any pain and suffering.
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