No matter how good of a driver you are, someone else is still capable of getting in an accident with you. Reckless drivers can create accidents that cost victims thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Sometimes, our only defense against reckless drivers is being able to identify them before they cause an accident by looking for some of these signs:
Swerving
There are many reasons that someone may swerve their vehicle while driving. They could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted by their phone, trying to reach something in the back seat, or even eating while driving. No matter the case, their recklessness can result in them losing control of their vehicle and swerving into other lanes.
Tailgating
Speeding is one of the most common forms of reckless driving, and tailgating is one of its typical outcomes. Being in a hurry is no excuse to endanger those around you by tailgating. If someone is crowding other vehicles by tailgating, it typically shows that they are not considering the safety of others.
Cell phone use
Cell phones have become a considerable distraction for many drivers. At high speeds, looking away from the road for even a few seconds is equivalent to driving blindfolded for hundreds of yards. If someone is looking down at their lap, it is likely they are looking at their phone. At night, cell phone use is also apparent by a screen’s glow on the driver’s face.
How to respond to reckless drivers
There is very little we can do to stop someone’s reckless actions while they are driving, so it is on us to respond safely to them. Instead of rushing ahead of them and risking an accident by startling them, let a reckless driver pull ahead of you a safe distance so you can keep an eye on them. By putting enough distance between you and a dangerous driver, you are giving yourself the time you need to avoid any accidents they may create.