2023 Day 1: 5 bad driving habits to get rid of immediately – Times of India

According to National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB) data, around 1.5 lakh deaths take place on Indian roads every year and one-third of these take place on our National Highways. Moreover, India accounts for a massive 11 percent of road accident-related deaths globally. A new year is also a time for new resolutions, so here are five bad driving habits that we should pledge to get rid of immediately.
1. Getting out of the sunroof:
The popularity of sunroofs has risen exponentially in vehicles being sold in the country. From hatchbacks to SUVs, sunroofs are being featured in models across all segments. Unfortunately, some owners use the sunroof for purposes it was never intended for, like standing out of one while the car is moving. Doing this is dangerous on several levels, it distracts the driver and road debris can cause severe injury to those who are standing out of a sunroof.
2. Driving on the wrong side:
Facing and manoeuvring against careless wrong-side drivers is common in the country. As per a recent MoRTH report, wrong-side driving in the country accounted for 2,823 deaths in 2021 alone. Driving on the wrong side endangers the lives of both the culprit and other motorists on the road, so we should avoid making this violation.

3. Not wearing a seatbelt:
Please make it a habit to wear your seatbelt at all times when sitting inside a vehicle. Out of 19,800 deaths recorded in 2021, 16,397 (83 percent) of victims were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. Out of these, 8,000 deaths were of passengers who did not wear seatbelts. This shows the importance of the safety device for all passengers.
4. Over-speeding:
Speed thrills but kills. With ever-rising traffic on Indian roads, over-speeding your vehicle on public roads is a very risky affair. This is proven by MoRTH data that shows that deaths caused by over-speeding jumped by 23 percent in 2021. Overall, 95,785 over-speeding accidents were recorded last year causing 40,450 deaths. Taking this into consideration, it is advised to avoid over-speeding, especially during peak hours and in busy areas.

5. Using hazard lights improperly:
Using hazard lights improperly is another common mistake Indian motorists make regularly on public roads. Hazard lights are primarily there to alert other motorists if your car breaks down in the middle of the road. However, many motorists use them for other reasons such as driving in fog, at cross sections and more. Such acts are distracting for other drivers and can lead to accidents. Those found using hazard lights improperly can be fined under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act. So please avoid misusing your hazard lamps.
As always, drive safe and stay safe on the roads, tell us your driving habit resolutions for 2023 in the comments below.