No one’s a perfect driver. And you don’t need to be.

We all may make minor mistakes here and there. And while that’s to be expected, practicing safety on the road is of utmost importance.

Negligent driving doesn’t happen by accident. It’s about being careless.

And those careless mistakes have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences.

Simple actions we may not even realize could be considered negligent. Read on for six common examples of negligent driving and ways to stay safe on the road.

1. Disobeying Traffic Laws

In a perfect world, everyone would follow the rules of the road. Unfortunately, traffic laws are disobeyed every single day and lead to accidents.

This can range from mild offenses such as rolling through a stop sign to the extreme like running a red light. We’ve all probably received a ticket at one time or another. The most frequent reason a person interacts with a police officer is by being pulled over.

Negligent drivers, however, will consistently ignore traffic laws despite warnings and second chances.

2. Ignoring Safety Features

Modern cars continue to feature safety benefits, but they’re only safe if properly used. While no one expects you to read through every page of the owner’s manual, having a good grasp of your vehicle’s safety features can avoid negligent driving.

Using turn signals, adjusting mirrors, and wearing a seatbelt take minimal effort and can even save your life. The latter prevented 14,955 deaths in 2017 alone.

As of May 2018, all U.S. cars are required by law to feature backup safety cameras. These tools are helpful, but shouldn’t be solely relied on when driving in reverse.

3. Distracted Driving

The evolution of smartphones and GPS tools have made navigating the roads easier than ever. Unfortunately, they also pose a serious risk of distracted driving.

Campaigns against texting and driving surround us and seem to be working. The amount of handheld cell phone usage in vehicles decreased by nearly half a percent from 2016 to 2017.

Distracted driving though isn’t just limited to phones. This also includes eating, playing with the radio, or driving with little to no sleep. If you’re the victim as a result of distracted driving, consult with a car accident lawyer to learn more.

4. Aggressive Driving

Not all deaths on the road are due to accidents. Aggressive driving behaviors such as cutting in and out of lanes or speeding past other cars can trigger road rage.

This type of negligent behavior usually stems from deeper issues such as anger management. While the average person wouldn’t take heavy offense to being cut off or sped past, drivers with road rage view this as a personal attack.

Always be mindful of other cars and do your best to avoid confrontations on the road. You never know if someone is carrying a weapon inside his or her vehicle.

5. Failing To Upkeep Vehicle

Automobile negligence doesn’t just pertain to how you operate behind the wheel. Owning a car is a responsibility and requires a certain degree of upkeep. Of course, we already invest a lot between gasoline and insurance costs, but there are small reoccurring tasks you should be taking care of.

Routine oil changes, monitoring tire tread, and repairing parts when necessary not only improves the longevity of your car, it keeps you safe. In a matter of seconds danger could strike whether it’s a blown out tire or faulty windshield wipers.

Maintaining reasonable upkeep on your car ensures your safety and everyone else you share the road with.

6. Driving Under the Influence

There’s no underestimating the severity and consequences of driving under the influence. Just like texting, the message to refrain from mixing drugs and alcohol with car keys is engrained into our brain.

Car crashes involving impaired drivers claim 29 lives every day in the United States. The negligent driving starts with a person’s poor decision to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Fortunately, companies offering transportation services like Uber and Lyft are cutting down on these statistics by providing an alternate method for people to still enjoy themselves without endangering the lives of others.

Avoiding Negligent Driving

Safe driving habits should start the day you get your license. While these six examples reflect negligent driving, many more exist.

Any type of driving that endangers occupants in both your car and surrounding vehicles is negligent. When you’re traveling at a high speed inside heavy machinery your life could change in an instant.

Statistically, over 3,000 people around the world will die today as a result of a car accident. Avoiding negligent driving can help shrink this number.