Nobody’s perfect – not even the police, so it does us no harm to think about what we could do better. We’ve compiled the top ten driving faults; how many are you guilty of? Poor driving is something we’re all guilty of but almost never admit to, but at least by being aware of the key issues we might be a bit more honest with ourselves. Driver training experts Peak Performance have identified the ten most common driving faults, and helpfully what you can do about them.

1. Low speed manoeuvring

Number one in the table of most common driving faults is low speed collisions whilst parking and manoeuvring. While this usually causes no more than a scratch or bumper damage, it can easily result in a crush injury or even death for a pedestrian unlucky enough to be trapped.

Solution: Do everything slowly – the fastest thing moving should be your eyes through both mirrors and screens, front and rear. Do not guess, get out and look or get help!

2. Tailgating

At number two in the league table is driving too close to the vehicle in front, with the likelihood of a rear end collision at typical slow-down situations, such as roundabouts or other traffic queues. Basically, you are not leaving yourself enough reaction time to cater for every possible situation. On a motorway it’s particularly dangerous as the high speeds involved can cause the horror of a multiple pile-up.

Solution: This can be avoided by applying the ‘two second rule’, leaving a gap of at least two seconds between you and the car in front. Maybe it’s time the old mantra “Only a fool breaks the two second rule” was revived?

3. Stopping too close to vehicle in front

Related to fault number two, but not quite the same is stopping too close to the vehicle in front, with the likelihood of being pushed into it in the event of you being hit from behind. Another common result of this is being unable to drive around the vehicle in front if it breaks down.

Solution: This can be avoided by stopping so that you can see where the rear wheels of the vehicle in front touch the tarmac. Leave more space if the vehicle in front of you is an HGV.

4. Speeding

Controversy always rages when it comes to the question of how dangerous speed is, but even the most dyed-in-the-wool speed freak will admit that in certain situations, driving fast means driving dangerously. As well as the possibility of a front end collision, speed generates related problems such as the loss of control during heavy braking. If the car is at its performance limit, the chances are you’re well over yours.

Solution: Stay within posted speed limits, and use forward observation to identify anything that may cause you to slow down well in advance.

5. Tiredness

Most common fault number five is tiredness whilst driving, and falling asleep at the wheel can have fatal consequences, particularly in motorway situations. Recent statistics are showing that this is a much bigger problem than first thought.

Solution: Simple - take regular breaks. Current best practice involves a break of 15 minutes for every two hours of driving. Do not set out on a long journey if you are already tired.

6. Blind spot

Most common fault number six is moving into the blind spot of another vehicle, and being ‘side-swiped’ when the other vehicle doesn’t see you and pulls out. It’s a particular problem for cars moving behind larger vehicles such as lorries and motorbikes moving behind pretty much everything.

Solution: Use the door mirrors of the other vehicle – if you can see the other driver’s face in their door mirror, they can see you. Watch out for foreign registered vehicles which usually have bigger blind spots. Make sure your mirrors are properly aligned.

7. Bad braking

Fault number seven in the league table is braking reactively or too late for the situation, with the likelihood that the following vehicle will run into the back of you. One bad driver can cause the ‘concertina effect’. If he or she brakes hard suddenly and, the reaction time for those behind him or her is slashed more and more, meaning that a shunt can occur some distance behind the bad driver.

Solution: Always try and alert the car behind by applying the brake lights early, which should encourage them to increase their following distance. Remember what your driving instructor told you about applying the brakes smoothly and progressively. Any ‘stabbing’ at the brakes isn’t just dangerous but will wear your discs and brake pads prematurely.

8. Lack of awareness

Most common fault number eight is lack of hazard awareness by drivers, often resulting in harsh braking and front or rear end accident potential. If you’re eating up the miles, it’s very easy to develop a sort of ‘tunnel vision’ and focus solely a couple of hundred yards ahead. You need to be aware of the environment around you in all directions, including the road surface, weather and light conditions.

Solution: A useful rule of thumb goes: ‘More money spent means more danger.’ That means that the more money spent on the road in terms of paint, signs, surfacing and other road furniture, the greater the hazard and risk of danger. That’s why the money has been spent in the first place!

9. The ‘other guy’

At number nine is the fault of not allowing for different driver types such as HGVs, buses, vans, taxis and despatch riders, all of whom have different pressures and time constraints on their driving styles. You might also keep an eye on the condition of other vehicles, as the driver of a dirty, smoke belching old van with numerous dents in the bodywork is unlikely to care too much if he adds to his collection.

Solution: Always try and be aware of driver types around you, and watch and learn from what you see on the road.

10. Road positioning

Finally at number ten is poor road positioning causing vision problems for other drivers. If another driver cannot see you until the last minute, this will reduce their reaction time and may cause late braking or collisions, especially on faster roads. Of course the classic example of poor road positioning is the notorious motorway middle lane driver who refuses to budge despite clear roads ahead and then reacts with rage when he is ‘undertaken’ (which is not recommended).

Solution: Keep safety as a priority. If you’re unsure what the correct road positioning is in any given situation, remind yourself with the help of the Highway Code. A refresher course or advanced driving course is another fun option and it might even knock a few pounds from your insurance premium as well as possibly saving your life.

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