What is the single worst/most unsafe driving habit where you live?

Question

I'd like to know what each of us thinks is the one worst or most unsafe driving characteristic of the drivers in your area of the world. Please only list one and try not to make it a "pet peeve". Also please start off with what area of the world you're from.

For instance. I drive primarily in southern New England section of the United States. I think the most unsafe habit people have here is lack of lane discipline. Whether it is driving in the wrong lane on the highway or straddling two lanes on a country road. Most multi-car accidents and traffic jams seem to be caused by this bad habit.

I welcome your comments, it will be interesting to compare my observations with people from other places.

Answer 1

I too live in Baltimore.  People here drive normal speeds on the highways overall, but drive very slow on back roads causing backups and road rage.  Especially in my case.  They have a bad habit of driving slowly until you pass or try to pass them!  Then they speed up.  As if they were only interested in driving slow if they're holding somebody up!  You gotta love people who thrive on creating impositions.  It must be their greatest source of power.  Anyway, they drive really slow on backroads here.

Answer 2

New Jersey

Ignoring stop signs.

Accidents from that happen all the time here.  

Someone will go through the stop sign without so much as slowing down and expect not to get hit.

Answer 3

I live in Ontario, Canada. Biggest bad driving habit that leads to accidents I think is not driving to weather conditions. People follow too closely, too fast, even on snow-covered roads and highways or in white-out conditions. To make matters worse, many of these drivers don't buy winter tires, so if I hammer the brakes, I'll be stopping way shorter than the guy behind me, even if has given me lots of space.

Answer 4

Cell phones as others answered is a huge problem.  I use a BlueTooth and what a difference with the "hands free".

I live in Atlanta, GA and we are known for driving fast throughout the nation.  I travel to other cities visiting and on business and when I mention Atlanta it is always about how fast we drive.

The problem is when someone new or not familiar gets into the left lane, probably at the speed limit.  No matter what your speed the left lane is for anyone traveling faster, MOVE OVER.  Don't look at your speedometer, or hit the brakes (extremely dangerous), etc., get out of the way as you are suppose to do.  In most cases there are a line of cars behind the one coming up on you.

Answer 5

Utilizing a "Southern California Life Support Device" (aka a cell phone) while driving. Most people can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time, much less talk on a cell phone and drive in a safe manner. But in July, ahhh sweet bliss, the Good California State Legislature in their infinite wisdom have passed a new law that restricts the use of a cell phone to only those that are truly "hands free" while driving. Can't wait to see how many people the cops nail on July 1st (when the law takes effect).

Answer 6

I live in Maryland, Baltimore to be specific and we have some of the worst driving habits in the country. We are fast to say the least. Our roadways have very low speed and we LOVE to drive fast. For example,  was driving down the I-95 and saw two cars doing 95mph. The speed limit is 60, I think? We also have the rare Pennsylvania Drivers. They hold up traffic so much. Most of the people are commuters who travel from York to Baltimore because our Gov made it so expensive to live here. They do a mix of things ranging from not using turn signals to driving BELOW the speed limit.

Answer 7

Talking on cell phones or text messaging while driving.

Answer 8

I'm a trucker and drive all over the US and Canada. i think people talking on cell phones and being in way to much of a hurry is the worst. I've seen some nasty crashes and unbelievably dangerous driving because people are in a hurry and not paying attention like they should.

Answer 9

around here in san jose california, its talking on cell phones

Answer 10

Roads would be so much safer if people had more patience. But that won't happen anytime soon.

I live in North/Central Jersey. Worst habit would be cell phones for sure.

Answer 11

Talking on a cell phone when driving!!!

Drives me Crazy!!!

Answer 12

I live in Northern Ca and Three  things people do here are.....

Passing when unsafe...and talking on their D*** cell phones!

Driving unsafe speed for the conditions like during rain and Fog!!

Answer 13

USA, Missouri.....Cell phones...

Answer 14

USA, Arizona. People drive while talking on cell phones. People will pay more attention to their phone call and not enough to the road causing accidents.