While many Pennsylvania motorists worry about staying safe the entirety of their trip, there are just as many drivers who make poor decisions or fall victim to innumerable driving distractions. Unfortunately, these bad drivers might be breaking the law in addition to creating unsafe roadways for other travelers.
Various municipalities might approach traffic violations with slight variations in severity, everyone agrees that these habits are unsafe.
- Cell phone use: While these laws are constantly being updated and expanded, it is currently illegal to text while driving in Pennsylvania. Drivers can still talk on the phone, however. Talking might not be as distracting as texting, but it still pulls attention away from the road.
- Driving with headphones on: While cell phones make it easier to access audio entertainment such as your personal library of music or a podcast broadcast from half a planet away, wearing headphones in the car might drown out essential noises like car horns, railroad crossing alarms or emergency vehicle sirens.
- Tailgating: It is not uncommon for drivers to be operating at different levels of intensity. However, following too closely is not a way to get the car in front of you to speed up – it simply lessens your reaction time to stopped traffic or hazards in the road in front of the car in front of you.
- Changing lanes without signaling: Any change should be signaled, and this includes changing lanes or merging. Drivers must let others always know their intentions.
- Speeding: Speeding, reckless driving, taking a corner too quickly – these are all habits than can lead to disaster.
Safe driving habits come more naturally to some – and can be more of a challenge to others. It is crucial that drivers of all types of vehicles – cars, trucks, motorcycles, delivery vehicles – work together to ensure our roads are as safe as possible. From actively avoiding distractions to following posted speed signs, there are good habits that can lessen your chance of being involved in a serious motor vehicle accident.
