Be an Informed Driver: Understanding the Dangers of Reckless Driving

In 2022 almost 45 000 people died in motor vehicle traffic accidents in the US. An even larger number of people end up injured due to reckless driving.

Each day countless drivers engage in dangerous driving knowing that their actions could result in serious road accidents. It just takes one thing to go wrong or a moment of not paying attention to the road for someone to end up injured or dead.

Reckless driving accounts for anything where a driver willfully engages in negative behavior while behind the wheel. This behavior is in disregard of the law and concern for the safety of other road users.

Engaging in reckless driving drastically increases the possibility of being responsible for an accident. Stepping behind the wheel of a car already has various risks tied to it, but if you make the conscious decision to ignore the rules of the road and safe driving tips then you’re intentionally risking your life and that of others.

So keep reading to find out more about the dangers of reckless driving.

Why Do People Drive Recklessly?

On average people drive recklessly due to traffic congestion. Nobody wants to be late and a sudden traffic jam can cause stress levels to spike. Drivers who can’t wait or simply don’t have the patience for traffic congestion tend to engage in reckless driving.

This can be presented as road rage or serving and speeding to try and cut in between cars. These sudden and chaotic movements are hard to predict, making them dangerous for other drivers.

While some people drive recklessly on a one-time basis due to external circumstances, some drivers engage in aggressive driving out of habit. It has become part of the way they drive and they don’t see anything wrong with it.

The Most Common Types of Reckless Driver Behaviors

Dangerous drivers tend to have a disregard for traffic laws. One of the most common types of reckless drivers is those that willfully violate traffic laws.

Another common type of reckless driver is one that doesn’t keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Tailgating means there isn’t enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. If someone breaks suddenly you won’t have enough space to react to the situation.

Most reckless drivers also yell at other drivers as a way to express their frustration or anger while driving. This might not seem like a big issue, but when drivers start blaring their horns or flashing their lights because they’re frustrated it becomes a problem.

Many of these actions can be distracting to other drivers as they try to figure out what you’re trying to signal. These behaviors can also cause other drivers to become frustrated and lash out.

Speeding and driving under the influence are some of the worst behaviors reckless drivers can exhibit. When you’re driving under the influence you aren’t as reactive as you would be sober. This can make the difference between a small bump and a fatal crash.

Speed laws exist for a reason. If you’re driving too fast you won’t be able to react in time if something goes wrong. When you’re speeding you miss little things that would make you make different decisions.

If you speed while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your decision-making skills are impaired and your reaction time is slowed. This often results in motorcycle hit and runs as impaired drivers don’t see the motorcycle approaching.

Consequences of a Reckless Driving Accident

Injuries and fatalities are the worst consequences of driving recklessly. But there are other repercussions you need to be aware of.

If you are caught driving recklessly or exhibiting reckless behavior, your insurance company will see you as a risk. Since you’re more likely to have some type of accident when you’re driving recklessly, a reckless driving conviction is likely to lead to an increase in your insurance premium.

If a traffic official or police officer sees you driving recklessly or in a way that could endanger others then they are obligated by law to issue tickets. Depending on the case, they might even take you into custody where you’ll need to pay a fine to be released.

If you’re caught driving recklessly on multiple occasions then your license will most likely be revoked. In some cases, your license might just be suspended for a period of time, but it depends on the severity of the offense. If someone was hurt due to you driving recklessly then the repercussions will be more severe.

Fines and license suspensions are the least of your worries when it comes to dangerous driving. Your behavior could easily lead to some serious jail time. Whether you’ll be spending time behind bars will be determined by the police report filed at the scene and if there were any casualties.

When it comes to reckless driving, it’s always a good idea to hire an experienced car accident attorney to help you navigate the laws. Your lawyer might not be able to get you out of the situation, but they can help prepare you for the court case and any paperwork you need to file.

Avoid Reckless Driving at All Costs

When it comes to reckless driving, all it takes is one second for everything to go wrong. The rules of the road exist for a reason and are there to keep everyone safe. When you willfully ignore these rules you can end up not only hurting yourself, but you’re also a danger to others.

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