7 deadly driving sins (that lots of people admit to)
Most of us think we’re great drivers, but you’d be surprised how many people admit to dangerous habits behind the wheel. RAA’s insurance team asked South Australians about their attitudes towards these seven deadly driving sins. Here’s what we found.
More than half of respondents (54% to be exact) admitted to driving while feeling sleepy. We also saw that women were more likely to admit to this behaviour than men in our survey (57% compared to 49%).
However, given male drivers are at fault in 60% of fatigue-related casualty crashes – according to stats from the Motor Accident Commission – it’s clearly a problem we all need to consider.
Whether you’re heading off on a road trip or just getting home after a late night, driving while fatigued can be deadly – it’s estimated to be a factor in up to 30% of fatal crashes and 15% of serious-injury crashes.
If you’re set for a long journey, try and schedule it in for an early morning start after a good night’s sleep rather than heading off after work when you’re likely to be more tired.
Make sure you stop every two hours to stretch your legs and get some fresh air for 15 minutes or so. Share the driving and try to stay overnight to break up the travel if it’s a really long trip, and make sure you eat regular healthy snacks along the way too.
Remember that short trips can be just as dangerous too, so it’s best to avoid driving altogether if you’re drowsy.
Nearly a third of respondents (29%) admitted to intentionally speeding, despite significant public education about the risks. What’s just as alarming is that 15% thought the risk of having a crash when speeding is low, as long as you’re being careful – which is simply not the case.
Speeding reduces the amount of time you have to react to situations on the road and also increases the force of impact, meaning it affects the likelihood of a crash, as well as the severity of injuries.
The penalties for speeding range from a $170 fine and two demerit points for speeding by less than 10km/h, to a $1014 fine, nine demerit points and a six-month licence disqualification if you’re found to be travelling 45km/h or more over the limit. A $60 Victims of Crime Levy applies to all penalties.
Alcohol may increase people’s confidence, but that’s not always a good thing – especially on the road where this often manifests itself in aggressive or unpredictable driving behaviours. Not to mention the fact that alcohol impairs your focus, reactions and decision-making behind the wheel.
Sadly, 13% of respondents say they’ve driven knowing they were potentially over the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05. With a BAC of 0.05 or more, your risk of being in a casualty crash doubles.
If it’s your first offence for drink driving, you’ll face a fine of between $600 and $1600 and your licence could be suspended for a minimum of 6 or 12 months (depending on your BAC). For subsequent offences, the penalties continue to increase, and your vehicle could be impounded for 28 days – which also brings with it additional costs.