Five Dangerous Driving Habits To Avoid

The auto pros at Al's One Stop Auto are all about making your vehicle as safe to drive as possible. Our top-to-bottom inspection and maintenance standards are geared to withstand the rigors of the road, whether you’re commuting long distances or dropping the kids off at soccer practice.

But we’d like to remind you that the most important safety feature in your vehicle is you — the driver. The many decisions the driver makes every time he or she gets behind the wheel are likely to have more of an impact on safety than anything else the manufacturer has installed.

In the interest of keep you and your family safe on the road, here are a few of the most dangerous driving habits, according to defensivedriving.org:

Texting while driving: It’s estimated that texting while behind the wheel is a factor in one out of every four crashes, and sending text messages or using your phone increases the risk of crashing by three times.

Distracted driving: Using your cellphone isn’t the only culprit. Eating, applying makeup, even responding to the needs of your children can be dangerous while driving. 

Speeding: It’s a no-brainer that exceeding the speed limit is dangerous. But did you know that speed contributes to more than 25 percent of all fatal crashes? Slow down like your life depends on it — because it does!

Tailgating: Following the vehicle in front of you too closely is a dangerous and all-to-common habit. Keep two car lengths between your vehicle and the one in front of you, and allow even more distance in inclement weather.

Poor vehicle maintenance: A tire blowout, overheated vehicle, engine failure or any other symptom of a vehicle that hasn’t been properly maintained can leave you vulnerable to being stranded in unsafe conditions. 

If you avoid the first four hazards on this short list, the mechanics at Al's One Stop Auto will take care of the fifth one. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.