We’re all guilty. Whether it’s checking texts while driving, rolling through stop signs or failing to use turn signals, most drivers have picked up a bad driving habit or two over time. The challenge is breaking those habits.
While some of these behaviors may seem inconsequential, even the smallest lapses in concentration and judgement while driving can have fatal results. In 2023, an estimated 3,275 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving, according to the latest information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
That danger isn’t lost on drivers. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s 2024 Traffic Safety Culture Index found that most respondents recognized distracted driving as dangerous. Nearly all drivers surveyed viewed scrolling through social media (97%), texting or emailing (94%) and reading from a hand‑held phone (90%) as extremely or very dangerous. Yet many admitted to doing it anyway: 11% said they scrolled through social media, 28% sent a text or email and 37% reading their phone while driving.
There is some encouraging news. About half of drivers reported changing their driving behaviors in recent years to reduce crash risk. Among them, more than 40% said they now drive more defensively, 30% said they’re more mindful of speed limits and just over 10% reported using their phones less or avoiding tailgating.
The best way to avoid bad driving habits, of course, is not to start them. AAA Driving School instructors do their best to impress upon young students the importance of following all the rules of the road. This includes not eating when driving and obeying speed limits. Young drivers are also encouraged to ignore drivers who honk at them at stop signs.
More seasoned drivers, who may be getting a little lax when it comes to traffic rules, need to remain vigilant and not slip into dangerous habits, like accelerating at yellow lights. Drivers who want to refresh their skills can sign up for the AAA Defensive Driving Course.
“One of the best ways to instill good driving habits is to explain why a regulation is important, and what can happen if you don’t follow it,” said Gary Driscoll, a AAA behind-the-wheel driving instructor in Cranston, Rhode Island, and former police officer. “I stress situational awareness when driving.”
Failure to pay attention even for a second could result in a life-or-death situation.
Distracted driving is one of the most common and dangerous bad driving habits. Texting, talking on the phone, even talking to passengers, eating or listening to music are all distractions that could take your eyes of the road or cause you to lose focus.
One of the newest, and most dangerous, trends is shooting video while driving, especially with younger drivers trying to capture clips for social media. This takes your concentration almost completely off the road and your hands off the wheel. If you want to shoot a video from your car, do it while stopped in a parking lot.
Put your phone on do not disturb and out of reach, said Barbara Ward, a longtime traffic safety specialist with AAA Northeast. Texting while driving is one of the top bad habits to break. It raises the possibility of a crash because it creates a “triple threat,” according to Ward. “It takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel and mind off driving more than any other potentially distracting activity.”
Impaired driving includes getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using marijuana. Driving while under the influence not only has serious legal repercussions, but puts the driver, passengers and everyone on the road in danger.
Don’t do it. Designate a sober driver ahead of time or call a taxi or ride-sharing service.
Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
AAA recommends stopping for a break every two hours or 100 miles while you are driving. If you start to nod off, have trouble keeping your eyes open or can’t recall the last few miles driven, pull over and let someone else take the wheel.
While many drivers do not consider speeding risky behavior, speeding is a factor in one-third of vehicle fatalities. “Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the distance you need to stop,” Ward said.
Slow down. “Always know the posted speed limit and use cruise control, if possible, to keep the vehicle at a safe and reasonable speed,” added Ward.
The NHTSA defines aggressive driving as a combination of moving traffic offenses that can endanger other people or property, often sparked by road rage. This includes one of the most infuriating bad driving habits, tailgating.
Avoid being a tailgater by staying calm if someone ahead of you is driving more slowly and keep a lighter foot on the gas pedal. If someone is tailgating you, continue driving the speed limit, remain calm and obey traffic signals.
More tips for dealing with an aggressive driver:
And there may be a few bad driving habits you might not even know you have, based on this story about bizarre state driving laws.
Learn more about at AAA Driving School, available in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Last updated on April 8, 2026 by AAA Staff
Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.
