By Russ & Tiña De Maris
RVers may spend more time behind the wheel than the average driver. That gives us plenty more opportunities to do something bone-headed and get into an accident. Here’s the top 12 list of driver errors. Check them out and see if perhaps you need to make any adjustments to keep yourself—and others—safer on the road.
1. “Camping” in the fast lanes
If you’ve spent any time watching truck-driver-produced Instagram videos, you’ve seen it. Somebody plunks their car, truck, or motorhome somewhere other than in the right hand lane—and sits there. No matter that folks are zipping past them on the right, they’re just GLUED to that lane. Hey, this is an easy one. That old left lane is the OVERTAKING lane. If you’re not overtaking another driver, stay out of it!
2. Brake jamming without cause
A major cause of traffic accidents—the yo-yo who jams on the brakes for no reason. Do you need to slow down? Unless there’s an emergent condition, slowing down gradually may save a rear-end collision.
3. “Turn signal forgetfulness”
That little lever on the steering column is there for a reason. And yes, it’s more than just a place to rest your fingers. Forgetting to use the turn signal when making a lane change or turning a corner is bound to catch folks by (unnecessary) surprise. Don’t forget to switch off the signal when you’ve completed the maneuver!
4. Lane changing in a turn
Crossing out of your lane while making a turn can lead to unwelcome “incursions” with other vehicles. Yes, larger rigs like motorhomes and folks towing trailers and fifth wheels may, of necessity, have to make a wide turn. But don’t go where you don’t need to go. If you need to be in a different lane after you make the turn, stay in the lane you’re coming in from, then, after the turn is complete, switch to the lane you need. And don’t forget those turn signals!
5. Brake rider
Some folks just seem to think that since you have two feet, you need to use both at once. One on the gas, the other on the brake—not necessarily pushing it down, just resting it there. Others, at the stop line, push down the brake with the left foot, and keep the right on the gas. It’s a driver error that’s hard on the brakes and can create a jerky approach to driving. Give your left foot a rest—use the right foot for both the brake and the accelerator.
RVers have an additional “brake riding” warning. Riding the brakes on a downgrade can lead to a loss of brakes. Need to slow down on the downgrade? Drop down to a lower gear and let engine compression help slow you. Still need to scrub off speed? Push firmly on the brake, drop down to 10-miles-per-hour less than your safe descent speed, then get off the brake. Don’t touch it again until you go over your safe speed. This proven method will go a long way to keeping your brakes cool and usable.
6. Speeding through that yellow light
Approaching a traffic light that shows yellow apparently is tantamount to waving a red cloth at a bull. Yellow means SLOW. Which pedal is your right foot on? Should be the brake!
7. Crosswalk non-stop?
Pedestrian in the crosswalk? Exercise that right foot on the brake pedal. Fines for ignoring pedestrians can be steep—$238 in California. Must you stop for the pedestrian who is waiting to cross at a crosswalk? Generally, no. But best to brush up on state laws where you travel. Here’s another great idea: If you’re stopping at the crosswalk, turn on your hazard flashers to give folks behind you a warning.
8. High-beam Harry
One of our “favorite” driver errors is that fellow who leaves his high beams on. State laws may lay out precisely how close you may come to an oncoming vehicle or to one traveling ahead of you in the same direction. But who’s gonna get out and measure the distance? If you can see the headlights or taillights, turn down your high beams.
9. Failing to set those side mirrors
It seems for some, side-mounted mirrors are like the ones at home above the bathroom sink. They adjust the mirrors to see as much of themselves as they can! But the idea is to adjust them to barely see your rig, and to see as much of whatever else you can see—like overtaking traffic. Driving the toad car? Set that “over the dash” mirror so you can look up and see straight back through the rear window—without having to move your head. Leave the self-idolization in the bathroom.
10. Too comfortable seating
No, we don’t mean you should install bleacher seating in your rig. But those who set the driver seat too far back from the wheel may not be able to keep good control. Too much comfort can lead to lack of attention to traffic. Set your seat up and keep both your hands on the wheel.
11. Parking on the green
When the traffic light changes to green, be ready to roll. We’ve all been in the situation where the guy at the stop line is lollygagging and just sits when the light changes. We recently were behind just such a person—they were applying makeup when the light changed and just stayed put. Unfortunately, traffic in all other lanes rolled out, giving the impression our lane was moving too. Nope—and sad to say, that lady in the van coming up behind us insinuated her rig into the rear of our car. And, oh yeah, “makeup” driver pulled out and headed west—right after we got smacked.
12. Celly behind the wheel
The final driver error—using the phone while driving. Even if you have “hands-free” capability, that doesn’t free up your mind for a conversation. Keep your mind in the game (i.e., driving). If you need to talk, pull off the road and make your call.
##RVT1182
Noticeably missing from this list———-those folks who drive with dogs sitting in their laps, crawling over them, hanging out the driver’s window and generally causing a major distraction. Dogs do not belong in the driver’s seat!!!!
Animals do not belong in the front at all!! Not only a distraction, but dangerous for the animal.
Turn signals? These seem to be optional. And the more expensive the vehicle, the less they are used. Brake checking is getting worse. People pass at a high rate of speed and then jam on the brakes after they pass. The reason I have a dash cam in my vehicle.
As far as loitering in the left lane, people don’t remember what was told to them when they took their drivers test. And it’s illegal in most states.
Regarding the left lane loiterers, many people, especially recent arrivals to the US, are taught to get into the left lane as it generally has the least amount of traffic and makes them feel safer. One of the problems with people who do not come from driving cultures is developing driver judgement and sense which many of us have developed riding in cars with our parents and living in an automotive culture.
Going through an unfamiliar town I like being in the middle lane. Not far left, I’m talking 3 travel lanes (Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville, etc). Being in the right lane your constantly in the way of on ramp. More importantly too often the right lane becomes a turn lane and even with blinkers getting over is challenging.
I agree. When driving through cities with numerous on/off ramps I stay in the next-to-the- slow-lane. Prevents having to be on and off the brakes because you aren’t able to move over a lane when needed. I only do this on highways that have multiple lanes (3 or more).
#12 is the biggest problem…many of the other problems are directly related to #12.
Cell phones – As laws have been passed against using while driving, my observance of violations has increased. When I see someone NOT on a phone I am shocked. I can tell within seconds when a nearby driver connects or disconnects a call. Their speed and wandering change noticeably. You, or your time is NOT that important!
Or…something VERY interesting in the drivers lap
#3 became an issue right during the COVID pandemic and the subsequent supply chain disruption. Since we import almost everything from China, there was an acute shortage of blinker fluid. Now, with COVID far in the rear view mirror, I don’t understand why there is currently no stock of blinker fluid in automotive supply shops, gas stations, etc. It seems that even the automotive industry can’t find enough to put in their new cars prior to shipment to dealers. And why are dealers themselves out of stock? Sad times in the USA.
PSA: Just in case, the preceding is pure satire, 100%.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Yes, I have gone through a few intersections on yellow. Ideally the speed limit will allow safe stopping on yellow. However, the confluence of speed, and proximity to the intetsection when the light becomes yellow sometimes leaves no opportunity to stop safely before entering the intersection. Ideally, no road with traffic lights should ever have a posted speed above 50 mph. However, many do. 🙁 Hence, I prefer interstate driving. Have a great day, a good Thanksgiving, amd safe travels.