When you look at frequency of collisions by age group, the numbers are startling but not always a huge surprise: Collisions among young drivers are the highest. Actuarial numbers reveal that inexperience (perhaps combined with excessive bravado and socializing) can lead to an increase in collisions… On the other hand, years of driving experience help to create safer drivers. But experience only lessens the number of collisions, it doesn't eliminate them altogether. That's because experience can also create and prolong bad habits among seasoned drivers. Here are four reasons why experienced drivers are also drivers with very bad habits:
1. People become lazy
We don't like to admit it but we become a little lazy. We become drivers who just do the bare minimum to get somewhere. Instead of checking our blind spots every time we turn, we do it less and less and then just drop it altogether. Instead of paying attention to the road (the same road we travel every day to and from work for a decade) we drive it on autopilot.
2. Laws change
There was a time when it wasn't against the law to use a cell phone. And when I drive around, I see many people who don't seem to feel that this new law applies to them. And there was a time when it wasn't the law to move to the other lane when you pass an emergency vehicle pulled over to the side of the road. I have trouble with this one. And, there was a time when it was legal to drive without seatbelts. It's almost hard to believe but some people still have trouble with this one!
3. Technology changes
Cars become more powerful and safer, but sometimes these features aren't always appreciated. As humourous as it may sound to younger drivers, older drivers might not be used to their car's rapid acceleration or the stopping power of ABS brakes.
4. Cities evolve
If you drive the same way to work every day for a decade, you might get used to the 50 kmh speed… until they build a school and drop the speed to 40 kmh. Suddenly, your experience and habits are working against you as you drive dangerously fast (and probably on autopilot) through a schoolzone.
Young drivers need to learn to develop good habits, and that is something that insurance companies and schools and law enforcement has really come together on to promote. Unfortunately, as people age, their good habits can become bad habits and their experience can actually work against them.
Check your driving skills and see how up-to-date you are. If you're an experienced driver, there's a good chance that you could use a refresher.
If you do get into a collision, bring your car in to Boyd Autobody & Glass. We've been working with drivers for years to get their cars repaired and back out on to the road quickly and safely.
