Whenever you’re behind the wheel of your car, you’re entering into an unspoken contract between you and other drivers on the road. Although you’re strangers, each motorist you share the road with expects you to drive with the same care and precision they are demonstrating. Ignoring road rules and doing anything to put others in danger is extremely irresponsible.
Serious injury or worse often occurs when drivers put their needs before the safety of others while operating their vehicles. However, sometimes you’re unaware of how dangerous your actions are. Speaking with a car accident attorney will help you better understand the definition of negligent driving, but meanwhile, here are a few examples.
Using Your Radio or Navigation System
Unlike a few decades ago, the majority of drivers now use GPS to reach their destinations. Asking for directions or using a traditional map seems unusual to modern drivers. Within a few seconds, most drivers today enter their destination into their phones and receive pinpoint directions. The revolutionary invention of GPS is something that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
However, the few seconds it takes to enter the address of your destination could prove fatal. Countless accidents are the result of people fiddling with their GPS systems when they shouldn’t have been.
The same is true for selecting the perfect playlist for your road trip. Drivers who are preoccupied with anything other the road are always practicing negligent driving and putting the lives of others at risk.
Driving While Intoxicated
Besides being illegal and highly irresponsible, drunk driving is also negligent driving. Your judgment and motor skills are seriously impaired while under the influence of alcohol. You also face severe legal consequences if you’re caught driving while under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving is a serious offense that many drivers continue to practice throughout the country.
For this reason, drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents and auto fatalities. Drunk driving is arguably one of the most neglectful actions you can make while operating a vehicle.
Speeding
Reaching your destination is never more important than the safety of others around you. Speed limit signs are on our roadways for a reason, and ignoring them can be extremely dangerous for others around you. Even if you’re able to handle driving at extreme speeds, the same isn’t true for everyone else around you.
Even drivers who are following the speed limit can’t always react in time to avoid your speeding vehicle, and you risk smashing into their car. With the countless speed limit signs throughout our roadways, you have no excuse to speed. This level of negligence is completely avoidable, yet it causes countless accidents every day on our roads.
Why Is Negligence the Cause of Many Car Accidents?
Negligence comes in many forms, and all of them are potentially deadly. In the majority of situations, the act of negligent driving can be avoided. Many drivers believe that their actions are more important than the needs of others. However, the instance you glance at your phone could cause a gigantic pile up on the roadway.
