Driving in a car is part of daily life for many of us, but sometimes it's hard to remember how much can go wrong in the blink of an eye.
Perhaps scariest of all is that most of what could go awry is due entirely to human error, and most of it is entirely preventable.
We get so comfortable and sometimes even lazy behind the wheel because it can turn into a routine. Before we know it, we're eating breakfast on-the-go while talking to the kids on speakerphone, and the morning news is playing at the same time.
While some of the 10 things below might seem totally normal to do, they are behaviors that should actually never be done in a car for our own safety, the safety of others, and for the safety and longevity of the car itself.
Do you do any of these on a daily basis? Did we miss any terrible car habits from our list? Let us know in the comments.
And please SHARE this important information with your family and friends on Facebook!
Thumbnail source: Flickr
1. Put Your Feet Up On The Dash
Keeping your feet up on the dashboard might seem like a comfy way to take a nap while you're in the passenger's seat, but it is an extremely compromising position if, Heaven forbid, you get into a car crash. Sitting like this during a crash can set you up for kneeing yourself in the face with extreme force, and this is not a pretty sight.
And you don't want to prop your feet up while driving, for obvious reasons. Not even when you're on cruise control. Milliseconds can determine life or death when it comes to reacting. Full seconds wasted getting your foot to the brake will always lead to bad news.
2. Engage In Hanky Panky
You have to be super careful if you decide to do this with another consenting adult in a parked car, because you run the risk of being seen. In some states, getting caught in the act in your car could be a legal offense.
And as for doing the deed while driving? It happens more often than you think, as 33 percent of men polled have admitted to it. Needless to say, it is incredibly dangerous, and can result in a serious accident and injuries.
3. Get Changed
Even in a parked car, someone may catch a glimpse. You may think that you're alone, but you can't always see all of your surroundings clearly. Changing in a secluded parking lot can be extremely dangerous and make you appear incredibly vulnerable.
Changing clothes while driving? That's a whole different level of skill that could get you killed. Do not do it.
4. Have An Argument
Your moving vehicle is not a place to hash out an overdue argument, because your attention will no longer be on the road. If you need to pull over when you're more focused on your rage rather than the traffic, do it.
Not only is arguing in your car dangerous in a physical way, but it can be dangerous in an emotional way. Whether you're on the highway or parked in a parking lot, you can begin to feel trapped, and it can take a toll on your relationship. Arguments can be settled in a healthier way when the two people don't feel like they're trapped in a metal box with nowhere to get some air.
5. Eat A Meal
Eating while driving is distracting and could cause you to miss crucial seconds of eye contact with the road while you're staring down your egg bagel.
I've personally seen a car swerve off the highway and into a ditch right in front of my eyes, and after my father helped the woman out of her vehicle and up to safety, she told him it was because she was reaching for a napkin on the floor to wipe her face.
Wait until you get home to eat. You've got to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
6. Change Gears Willy Nilly
All of us can be in a hurry at times. And when we are zooming out of the driveway, many of us neglect to come to a full stop before transitioning from reverse to drive, switching gears while the car is still moving backwards. It seems harmless, but this little gesture can put months and months of wear on your transmission, as those little gears have to work as your brakes. Always take the time to change gears properly.
7. Ignore Blinking Lights
Any flashing light should be addressed inside of your car. Whether it's an oil light, a brake light, or an ominous "E" for empty, you never want to ignore the things your car is telling you. Even if you think it's just a faulty lightbulb, get it checked out so that you know when it's the real deal.
Running on low oil, worn brakes, and an empty gas tank are all dangerous. Yes, even running on empty is bad despite the reserve of fuel, because the gasoline actually serves to cool the fuel pump, and this can wear that part of your car down.
8. Blast Loud Music
Turning the volume all the way up in the car sounds like a fun idea, but it can be drowning out the sound of emergency vehicles or other warning noises you need to hear to keep the roads and yourself safe. Not to mention the irreparable damage you're doing to your ears when you force all that noise straight into your eardrums.
9. Sit In The Cold
In older cars, carburetors needed time to warm up before the car was driven, but these days there is no need. You are sitting there freezing your buns off for nothing, because if you actually started to drive, things would heat up much faster.
If you do want to run the heat for a minute before you set off, turn it on and head back inside for a few — or invest in an automatic starter so you can step right into a toasty warm vehicle!
10. Drive Without Shoes
Not only is driving barefoot dangerous, but imagine what would happen if you got in a fender bender and couldn't get to your shoes in the backseat afterwards. You'd definitely want to have shoes on your feet before standing on the side of the road, I can guarantee it.
Did we miss any bad car habits from our list? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with your fellow drivers!
