No
one's a perfect driver. And you don't need to be.

We
all may make minor mistakes here and there. And while that's to be
expected, practicing safety on the road is of utmost importance.

Negligent
driving doesn't happen by accident. It's about being careless.

And
those careless mistakes have serious, and sometimes fatal,
consequences.

Simple
actions we may not even realize could be considered negligent. Read
on for six common examples of negligent driving and ways to stay safe
on the road.

1.
Disobeying Traffic Laws

In
a perfect world, everyone would follow the rules of the road.
Unfortunately, traffic laws are disobeyed every single day and lead
to accidents.

This
can range from mild offenses such as rolling through a stop sign to
the extreme like running a red light. We've all probably received a
ticket at one time or another. The most
frequent reason a
person interacts with a police officer is by being pulled over.

Negligent
drivers, however, will consistently ignore traffic laws despite
warnings and second chances.

2.
Ignoring Safety Features

Modern
cars continue to feature safety benefits, but they're only safe if
properly used. While no one expects you to read through every page of
the owner's manual, having a good grasp of your vehicle's safety
features can avoid negligent driving.

Using
turn signals, adjusting mirrors, and wearing a seatbelt take minimal
effort and can even save your life. The latter prevented
14,955 deaths in
2017 alone.

As
of May 2018, all U.S. cars are required by law to feature backup
safety cameras. These tools are helpful, but shouldn't be solely
relied on when driving in reverse.

3.
Distracted Driving

The
evolution of smartphones and GPS tools have made navigating the roads
easier than ever. Unfortunately, they also pose a serious risk of
distracted driving.

Campaigns
against texting and driving surround us and seem to be working. The
amount of handheld cell phone usage in vehicles decreased by
nearly half
a percent from
2016 to 2017.

Distracted
driving though isn't just limited to phones. This also includes
eating, playing with the radio, or driving with little to no sleep.
If you're the victim as a result of distracted driving, consult
with a car accident lawyer to learn more.

4.
Aggressive Driving

Not
all deaths on the road are due to accidents. Aggressive driving
behaviors such as cutting in and out of lanes or speeding past other
cars can trigger road rage.

This
type of negligent behavior usually stems from deeper issues such as
anger management. While the average person wouldn't take heavy
offense to being cut off or sped past, drivers with road rage view
this as a personal attack.

Always
be mindful of other cars and do your best to avoid confrontations on
the road. You never know if someone is carrying a weapon inside his
or her vehicle.

5.
Failing To Upkeep Vehicle

Automobile
negligence doesn't just pertain to how you operate behind the wheel.
Owning a car is a responsibility and requires a certain degree of
upkeep. Of course, we already invest a lot between gasoline and
insurance costs, but there are small reoccurring tasks you should be
taking care of.

Routine
oil changes, monitoring tire tread, and repairing parts when
necessary not only improves the longevity of your car, it keeps you
safe. In a matter of seconds danger could strike whether it's a blown
out tire or faulty windshield wipers.

Maintaining
reasonable upkeep on your car ensures your safety and everyone else
you share the road with.

6.
Driving Under the Influence

There's
no underestimating the severity and consequences of driving under the
influence. Just like texting, the message to refrain from mixing
drugs and alcohol with car keys is engrained into our brain.

Car
crashes involving impaired drivers claim 29
lives every
day in
the United States. The negligent driving starts with a person's poor
decision to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Fortunately,
companies offering transportation services like Uber and Lyft
are cutting
down on these statistics by
providing an alternate method for people to still enjoy themselves
without endangering the lives of others.

Avoiding
Negligent Driving

Safe
driving habits should start the day you get your license. While these
six examples reflect negligent driving, many more exist.

Any
type of driving that endangers occupants in both your car and
surrounding vehicles is negligent. When you're traveling at a high
speed inside heavy machinery your life could change in an instant.

Statistically, over
3,000 people around
the world will die today as a result of a car accident. Avoiding
negligent driving can help shrink this number.