Reckless driving is among the leading causes of accidents on the road. It majorly leads to loss of life and damage to property once there is an accident.
So, what is considered reckless driving? Well, reckless driving is operating a vehicle in a manner that endangers other motorists, pedestrians, and property, whether intentionally or not.
It also entails a complete disregard of the road safety rules and measures. The result is the driver ending in an accident or causing one between other motorists. The consequences on both parties are usually hefty, with some even leading to the loss of innocent life.
If both parties survive, just after a medical checkup, the reckless driver usually suffers the most.
Why? Because they usually have to pay for the damages caused to the other driver’s car or pedestrian’s property, and sometimes their license is revoked.
In severe cases, the driver will have to pay a hefty fine which is usually pocket draining, or sometimes faces a jail term. Below is what is considered reckless driving; keep reading to familiarize yourself with them!
Reckless Methods of Driving
1. Speeding
What speed is considered reckless driving? You see, different roads have different speed limits assigned by the state traffic laws due to different conditions the area within the road faces. Driving past the speed limit required on a particular road is deemed reckless driving.
For example, someone driving past a school zone at 80 miles per hour is overspeeding. Eighty miles per hour is a very high speed for emergency breaks to act swiftly and stop. And before you realize it, you shall have injured dozens of kids crossing the road.
A School Zone is a place near a school, and drivers are usually urged to drive slowly and carefully to avoid hitting school children.
Every road is usually marked by the speed limit above, which you should not exceed. To be safe and avoid accidents, abide by the set speed marked on every road.
2. Racing
Racing usually means drivers or motorists competing on the road, and as long as it is unlicensed to take place and other people are using the road, it amounts to reckless driving.
The drivers racing usually endanger their lives and other road users. When racing, they rarely obey the traffic law, causing confusion on the road, leading to accidents that claim lives and property.
Most roads aren’t meant for racing; therefore, it does not favor people who intend to race. To avoid racing, follow all the traffic rules and avoid chasing down other vehicles around, challenging other divers.
3. Tailgating
Tailgating is following the car in front of you too close. By following another car too closely, you will be depriving yourself of the time you would need to stop suddenly in case of an emergency.
Even if you use emergency breaks, your car might skid and hit the car in front. Tailgating is reckless driving and usually causes serious accidents that may lead to loss of life and property.
This behavior also makes the driver in front develop pressure leading to nervousness as he tries to evade the car behind and, in turn, makes irrational decisions that often lead to accidents.
For safety, always try to maintain at least two car lengths between your vehicle and others. This should happen whether in traffic or on the highway.
4. Ignoring Traffic Signs
Traffic lights are on most busy highways. The traffic lights control the movement of vehicles at crossroads or near intersections and prevent confusion by giving every vehicle on different sides of the road an equal time of movement.
Traffic lights also control movement between pedestrians crossing and vehicles using the road. Every light bears a meaning which they should follow to the latter.
For example, green for motorists means go while red means stop. Amber means to get ready to go and is usually in the middle. The rules also apply to pedestrians who intend to cross the road.
Failure to adhere to the signs above usually leads to unavoidable accidents that cost lives. To be on the safe side, adhere to the traffic lights, and all will be fine on your end.
5. Driving Under Influence of Drugs
Driving under the influence of a drug poses a significant threat to the driver himself and other road users. Drugs such as alcohol impair one’s judgment abilities; therefore, you will make irrational decisions that lead to accidents.
Driving requires a sound mind, and once a driver is under drugs, it becomes hard to obey traffic rules while making an appropriate judgment that will lead to reckless driving. Drug abuse-related accidents usually rise during weekends and the festive seasons when most people are free and partying.
It is wise to stay away from drugs if you know you will operate a motor vehicle any time soon to avoid an accident. If you’re drunk, it is better to take a taxi home to avoid endangering your life and other road users.
Consequences of Reckless Driving
Reckless driving comes in handy with serious accidents that leave many families devastated by losing their loved ones or property.
Accidents such as head-on collisions where two cars hit each other head-on, T-Bone collisions where one vehicle slams the other on the side majorly on intersections, hitting pedestrians, and rear-end collisions usually come as a result of reckless driving.
What Is Reckless Driving? – Wrapping Up
Who is to blame for reckless driving? In this case, the reckless driver takes the blame, but the primary concern should be why we have many reckless drivers on our roads and how to eradicate them.
My view is to encourage them to take a refresher course at Pierre Paul driving school. At this school, you’ll learn all the NY road rules and guidelines by NHTSA. And trust me, after a short period, they will graduate to law-abiding pro drivers.