When a person is recklessly or negligently driving, there is very little that others can do to correct the behavior to prevent an accident. This lack of influence means that it is up to other drivers to look out for themselves to stay safe on the road.
Many people may think that there are not many reckless drivers on the road, but there may be more than you think. Knowing how to identify reckless drivers may be one of the only ways you can avoid an accident with them. To help you steer clear from these dangerous drivers, here are some signs of these drivers:
Speeding
A fast driver is not as easy to spot as you may think. If they are behind you, they can quickly catch up to you and speed on past you. Keep an eye on your mirrors, as drivers rapidly changing lanes to get out of the way may be one of your only signs of an approaching speeder.
Drifting/swerving
If you notice a driver having difficulty staying in their own lane, there may be a reason for it. People driving while under the influence or while exhausted can cause drivers to drift into other lanes slowly. When they finally become aware of their mistake, they may overcorrect and cause an accident.
Tailgating
Drivers who tailgate other people eliminate nearly all of their time to react to something in front of them. If the person a reckless driver is tailgating needs to brake suddenly, the tailgater will not be able to stop in time to avoid an accident, which will likely cause others behind them to also get in the accident.
Not watching the road
Suppose you see a driver looking away from the road, either looking down at their phone in their lap, in the seat next to them or down at their console to adjust their radio. If they are not looking at the road, they cannot be fully aware of their surroundings.
What can you do after spotting a reckless driver?
If you suspect another driver on the road as being a danger to those around them, allow them to pull ahead of you on the road. Attempting to speed past them may startle them enough into causing an accident. Stay vigilant on the road to protect yourself and your passengers.