Movie fans might not be surprised to hear that over 90% of car accidents are caused by driver errors.
If youāre a fan of films, you might have noticed some pretty bad habits creeping into those action-packed silver-screen car chases. While thereās nothing more exhilarating than high-adrenaline handbrake turns and supercar showdowns, there are lessons to be learned.
Here are some driving tips to keep mere mortals safe on the roads.
Drink driving
How many times have you watched the hero or villain of the piece stumble into the parking lot and speed off into the distance having sunk a few whisky chasers at a local bar? Drunk driving may be par for the course on TV shows and movies but in the real world, itās incredibly dangerous. Alcohol can impair judgment, even in small quantities and it also makes you consider taking risks you would never normally entertain if you were sober. If youāve been drinking, your reaction times will be slower and you might also fail to spot hazards, increasing the risk of collisions and accidents. Letās not forget that driving under the influence is also illegal. The characters you see on the screen may literally get away with murder, but if youāre pulled over or you cause a crash and the test shows that youāre over the limit, you could face losing your license and even spending time in jail.
The moral of the story is to avoid drinking any alcohol if you plan to drive. Donāt follow in the footsteps of on-screen rulebreakers like Ray Donovan. Hire a cab, walk home or ask a friend or relative for a lift.
Speeding
Speed is the main ingredient of any blockbuster car chase. From every title in The Fast and Furious franchise to superhero movies and tense thrillers, high-speed scenes give directors, actors and stunt performers free reign to go crazy. Unfortunately, this kind of driving doesnāt translate to highways or motorways, country lanes and city streets. Driving at speed is much more dangerous than driving slowly as it increases the risk of severe injuries and fatalities. If youāre driving too fast and you cause a crash, youāll also face charges and you may well hear from a car accident lawyer. There are signs in place to reduce risks. It may seem boring to trundle along at 30, 50 or 70 miles per hour, but thereās a reason why you canāt go all James Bond on a normal road.
Speeding is one of the most common causes of accidents, particularly those that cause life-changing injuries. If youāre driving, take note of the restrictions and be prepared to slow down if the roads are icy or wet, or visibility is poor.
Road rage
Nothing adds excitement to a car chase like a healthy dose of road rage. In most scenes, thereās a cat and mouse narrative, with a hero being chased by a villain or the main character trying to swerve lawmakers or escape from dangerous situations. Road rage fuels the intensity of the scene giving it that extra edge that keeps viewers locked in and teetering on the edge of their seats. The audience is encouraged to take a side and cheer their representative on and there are usually a few extra obstacles to add jeopardy.
Most of us will experience road rage at some point, but in most cases, this will come in the form of a throw-away comment if somebody cuts us up or pushes in. Keeping a lid on road rage is beneficial for all road users. If you get angry or frustrated, or you start gesturing to or racing other drivers, this could spell trouble. Driving too fast increases the risk of collisions, you could injure other drivers or pedestrians and you could also cause damage to your car. Thereās also the stress of dealing with an unpleasant exchange. Itās best to take a deep breath and get on with your day if another driver annoys you.
Distracted driving
Itās virtually impossible to watch an action movie without noticing that every driver is easily distracted. Far from having their eyes fixed on the road, drivers in films are often glued to their phones or trying to lose enemies, activate gadgets or even fire shots. The actors may be well-versed in negotiating winding roads with no hands on the wheel and bullets landing on their cars, but distracted driving is a totally different ball game in the real world. Even something that seems harmless, like looking at your phone while youāre driving, can have devastating consequences.
The issue with distracted driving is that it means that you canāt react quickly. If youāre talking to somebody in the back, youāre using your phone, or youāre trying to put some music on via the infotainment system, you may not be ready to slam the brakes on or steer the car out of danger. If a bike appears from nowhere, or the car in front stops suddenly, you may end up crashing. Whenever you drive, focus on the road at all times. Pull over in a safe place if you need to send a message or read an email.
Tiredness
Movie characters may be immune to the effects of insomnia, but if youāve ever tried to drive after a sleepless night, youāll be aware of the risks. Tiredness impacts reaction times and it can also make you less alert. You might find it harder to concentrate, especially on long journeys, and you could even start to feel your eyes dropping. Try to avoid driving if youāre exhausted. Take a nap, donāt drive late at night and keep your energy levels up by drinking caffeine, eating frequently and stretching your legs in the fresh air.
On-screen car chases may be thrilling to watch but theyāre laden with driving errors and examples of what not to do if youāre out on the roads. From drunk driving and speeding to distracted driving, road rage and driving tired, itās best to leave these bad habits to movie heroes and villains.