The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
Driving is a huge responsibility that we are all entrusted with when we receive our license. Although many of us get away unscathed, it does not mean that what we do is okay. We are often negligent to the point of reckless abandon, but the consequences are all too real when they happen. There is no end to the things that you should not do while you are driving; it almost seems useless to write a list about it. There are, however, some things that people often do in a car while driving that are worth mentioning. The one thing that is not useless though is our ability to make a difference where we can. These are the 10 worst things to do while driving.
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The abuse can range from drinking while intoxicated to picking your nose; they are all bad. Even something as stupid as sticking your head out the window can get you decapitated. It almost seems like a joke to go through a list, but the issues remain to the present day. While some things are worse than others, just about anything is bad when your focus should be the road. Everything else can wait, because there is always more time to do it later if given the chance. You are in fact driving a giant hunk of metal, which can cause damage to just about anything. The last thing you need is injury or trouble because of a few minor, albeit tragic mistakes.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
1. Texting
Everyone knows that texting and driving is bad, but being on your phone at all is a dealbreaker. You can even get fined or arrested for causing a wreck if your phone provides this distraction. The road is already hazardous enough with foul weather and bad drivers, but technology makes it even worse. Since we are all enamored with our phones, it only makes sense that we would risk our lives for them. In all, other devices are no better, as they are just as responsible for the cause of accident. It does not matter if it is the laptop on your passenger seat or the tablet on the dashboard. If you are texting, you can get into big trouble with the law or the road.
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There is nothing safe about looking away, even for a second, as driving requires your unmitigated attention. Your hands should be glued to the steering wheel at all times, no matter the situation. Even if the road seems clear and simple, anything can happen at any speed. If you decide to slip for even one second, it could mean game over. Although your fun seems like a worthwhile investment in moderation, there are always risks involved. This is something we should always consider, but there is always an accident we could have avoided.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
2. Drinking
There is nothing good about drinking and driving, but driving while you are drinking is dangerous. It can cause numerous people harm, and you may not even wake up from your stupor to find out. Like almost everything else on this list, you should avoid doing it right before you drive. If you happen to be doing it during the process of driving though, then you may be setting yourself up for worse problems. If you have not drunken anything beforehand, then you may be better off. Unfortunately, no matter what you do with alcohol, you are setting yourself up for tragic failure.
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You obviously want to avoid being responsible for someone else’s death. It never ends well for the perpetrator, and the legal consequences can wind up in jail time. Although chugging that huge nozzle was fun on the outside, it otherwise leads to disaster. When the need to drink rears it’s ugly head, then be sure to have a ride ready to go. If not, then hold off and wait until you get home. There is nothing about drinking and driving that makes it a reasonable hustle. You never drive better when you are drunk, and to believe so is irresponsible. While you may put that pedal to the metal with ubiquitous luck, you are better off avoiding it altogether.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
3. Arguing
Road rage is a very common issue that seems to plague every person at some point. You can be arguing on the phone or with another person in the car — it does not matter. When you are driving, the last thing you want to be is hot and bothered. It makes little difference if it is the one driving or the stranger spanking his monkey in the backseat. If you cannot maintain your composure, then you might as well choose to crash on your own. There is nothing worse than unwarranted aggression or sadness when you are at the wheel. It can make you vulnerable in ways you would not believe.
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This concern can apply to the people sitting on the side or backseat driving as well. If you value your own life in the whims of a whacko, then the last thing you want is to piss them off. Even if they only like to scare people, you should avoid any undue harm regardless. Any and everyone should avoid going into full-on conversation mode when in a vehicle. The stakes are high, and when things are already touched hot from flame, you should cool off. You never know who you are screwing with until the cap finally busts. The last place you want to be is in a car with someone who is upset and ready to go.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
4. Masturbating
It can be the real deal or simply stroking the weasel, but getting into action while driving is no good. This irresponsibility can lead to real harm, be it your member, your lover, or your pickup truck. There is no reason to rev that pump-action shotgun until you get home or behind a girder on the freeway. You can stain the windshields or even prioritize the wrong thing at the wrong time. The first place that will be calling your name is the hospital and an IV drip after a drug test. At this point, it almost entirely defeats the point of having any fun whatsoever.
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The same thing goes for women, but women are less likely to deal with this issue. In spite of who or what it is, the pleasure train can always wait until privacy is no longer an issue. Although the passions may be high after a night out, acting on it can lead to a plethora of issues for others. The worst case scenario is when someone else is in your car and has to get home safely. While it may be hard, this gives you little reason to screw the pooch until you have pulled over. If nature calls, you always have a better alternative around every corner.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
5. Eating
While it is obvious that you should not eat with a flame broiled whopper when driving, there is more involved. The use of forks and knives is also uncalled for, but some people seem to still misunderstand these rules of the road. When it comes to eating other things, the parking lot with your clothes covering the windows in the backseat does wonders. People left and right are eating out of their cars, but their reasons seem to be well justified. If you do not have the time to eat before work, then why not chow on some waffles on the way. It only seems reasonable, but it can lead to catastrophic failure if done improperly.
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We all have to take care of our cars and keep them clean to some degree. There are reasons that breakfast sandwiches come in wrappers, and it’s not there to wipe off your greasy spoon. Even if so, you should only eat when the car is stopped at a stoplight; this is the safest option you have. Who knows what kind of strange event could happen in the process of you sticking that food in your mouth. If something really bad were to happen, you could even end up choking on that chicken biscuit from Bojangles. This leaves you with few options, because if the car does not kill you, the food will.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
6. Rubbernecking
The last thing anyone should do while driving is not look at the road. This is what rubbernecking involves, but everyone does it to some degree. Although it is commonplace, it does not mean that it is any less dangerous. It can create problems just like everything else on this list, and people who rubberneck are doing just that. While it may be interesting to catcall a hooker or look at the bloody mess on the side of the road, it creates problems. At this point, you should just let go of the wheel, as you are just as likely to get into an accident anyway.
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There are always interesting things happening on the side of the road, but you only look when you need to. You may even see a crime being committed, but looking and wrecking the car does little good. The only time veering your vision to the side windows is when your are turning. If anything, you should keep the looking to a minimum anyway. You do not want to run over a jaywalker and get pinned with a crime that is barely your fault. If you have any desire for survival whatsoever, then it might be best to move on or pull over. Most of the time, you will end up realizing just how little you were interested to begin with.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
7. Sleeping
Well, this one mostly applies to the driver, but anyone sleeping in a car can instigate collateral damage. We can all understand that speeding is bad, but sleeping is more dangerous and happens without notice. If you are driving, the last thing you need to be doing is sleeping at the wheel. It is extremely dangerous and can cause a life-ending wreck. At times, you could use the sleep, but this is all the more reason to pull over. If this fails, then you may want to consider keeping things simple by getting enough rest during sleep hours. While we can often get away with micro-naps after a long day at work, there are dangers involved.
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Our bodies tend to avoid reckless sleeping while we are driving, but all it takes is one small drift. Even at our best, the most we can hope for is less tragedy in the process. There are ways to avoid this altogether, but it involves giving up those nights out. The risk of falling asleep entirely during a drive home is exacerbated by alcohol and other drugs. There are things you can do like leaving the window open and cranking up the radio, but sleep is better. Just be sure to avoid those wet dreams, because all they provide is extra unnecessary distraction. If you are the kind of person who likes to take care of your car, then that one unnecessary nap is not worth it.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
8. Drugs
It can be a nicotine dose or the meth-ridden crackpipe from your buddy down the street, but drugs are bad. While getting high with your friends during a weekend spectacle is alright, you should never do it right before or while driving. Your health is always on the line, even if the hooker you snorted off of was clean between the crack. In spite of the drug, you are putting yourself at risk of major consequence. You can cause brain damage or even immediate death if you are not careful. All it takes is one foul move, and you are dead meat because of the drug’s side-effects.
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This all means that no matter what, being intoxicated while driving is bad. People like to feel as though their marijuana addiction is worthwhile, but it serves them no good while pressing the gas. Even if you are likely to drive slower on weed, the cannabis high only serves to exacerbate this. Being too slow to the wheel is no better than a driver blazing by at a million miles an hour. Both can cause accidents, but the difference and blame can be made up for on your end. While alcohol is the worst drug to take while driving, every other drug deserves this inconsideration. Anything that takes your eyes off of the road or causes mild to severe psychoactive effects is a no-go on the road.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
9. Makeup
Women do it all of the time, but unfortunately, it never strictly ends at the stoplight. They will look in the rearview mirror and splash mascara and the like all over their face. While putting makeup on is okay, there are other times to do it. Almost everyone’s time is limited in the morning, and sometimes things just do not work out. Others have the habit of doing this all of the time, but nothing makes this bad habit worth it. To say that it is might as well be the most irresponsible thing you can do. What were to happen if you slashed yourself in the eye or ended up making some other mistake? You would end up going to work ugly and with a tow bill larger than Timbuktu.
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The same thing can be said for going to the bathroom, but the bathroom can wait as well. No one wants to be holding the locker while stuck inside a vehicle, but that’s what the curb is for. If you have to go, then you have to go where you likely do not want to go. While it can be somewhat dangerous to hold it for too long, there are always worse alternatives. If push comes to shove, you will have to hold it or pull off to the side of the road. The last thing you want to do is be holding a Mountain Dew can in your hand while holding the wheel; however, most people are smart enough to understand that this is a bad idea.
The 10 Worst Things to Do While Driving
10. Loudness
Everyone already knows that playing instruments in a car is not only impossible, it is wrong. A car is generally quite small and offers little in the way of room for fun. If you happen to be the one who is driving, then you should avoid playing the guitar or harmonica at the wheel. While the guitar may seem like a challenge, there are plenty of people who like to whistle, hum, or sing. This may seem tempting, but when taken too far, you can end up with your head slammed up against the windshield’s butt. Although this may sound very arousing, the last thing you want is your face flying through a piece of glass.
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People also love to listen to the radio while driving, but it can create issues at times. The last thing you need is some useless distraction causing your untimely demise. There are enough hazards on the road as is, but our driving tactics can always make the difference. There are always risks to having the radio too loud, but we love to do it anyway. We have to drown out that boring trip across state for the sake of our mental health. It is always important to have a keen awareness of your surroundings, but it is impossible when inside of our silly imaginations.