These Are the 9 Most Dangerous Things Drivers Do

Yes, following closely behind a tractor trailer can increase your fuel economy. That doesn't mean you should do it. Drafting works for NASCAR drivers, so it makes sense that a 4000-pound car can "hide" in the low pressure zone behind a 13-foot-tall, 80,000-pound big rig. Back in 2007, the TV show MythBusters even proved that it worked. But they also pointed out that following closer than 150 feet behind a truck is really dangerous. Even that distance gives a driver less than two seconds to react if the trucker suddenly slams on the brakes. Other things to consider are that truck drivers can't see what's directly behind them, and the relationship between trailer heights and car hood heights is a recipe for decapitation.

Yes, we just discussed recklessness, but this merits particular reinforcement. When the weather gets bad, slowing down is the best way to avoid an accident, even for highly trained drivers. This goes back to that physics thing. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that. All-wheel drive isn't an excuse for driving fast in inclement weather. When the road surface is slippery, a 3500- to 5000-pound vehicle will probably lose traction if you need to slow down in a serious hurry. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 24 percent of all vehicle crashes are weather-related. That's a good reason to slow down and leave a little space between your car and the one in front.

You know the drill. Shave and/or put your makeup on at home, and turn off the cell phone while you're driving. NHTSA estimates that there are 660,000 distracted drivers on the road most of the time. The federal government has responded by pressuring state governments to ban texting and driving, eating and driving, and all other activities that take motorists' eyes and minds away from the road. (Our own study showed that texting while driving is at least as dangerous as driving drunk.) How many times in the past week have you looked into someone's car at an intersection only to see that they couldn't see you, because they were on the phone and/or yelling at their kids? Distracted drivers are an example of why some people think autonomous, self-driving cars are a swell idea, so let's not give those people additional ammo.

Speeding is the second leading cause of traffic fatalities after drunk driving. According to a 2005 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "The relationship between vehicle speed and crash severity is unequivocal and based on the laws of physics." There you have it: The faster you are traveling when you crash, the more likely it is you'll be pulverized. An object in motion, and so forth. The IIHS study also points out that the likelihood of a crash increases when a driver goes above or below the average speed on a given roadway, although this has less to do with absolute speed and more to do with discrepancies between the speeds of those on the road. When everyone travels at the same general speed, things are more predictable, and the road is safer as a result.

Drowsy driving is every bit as dangerous as drunk driving. When your body needs sleep, it's going to get it, one way or another. People who insist on driving when they should stop for a rest will have slower reaction times and are likely to fall asleep at the wheel. The results usually aren't pretty. Drivers who are sleepy or asleep tend to crash on high-speed roads, and they usually don't do anything to avoid the crash in the moments before impact. The problem is such that some luxury automakers have introduced driver aids intended to combat drowsy driving. So if you feel yourself nodding off, pull off the road and grab a few Zs someplace safe. You might get home later than planned, but that's a small trade-off for your safety and that of the drivers sharing the road with you.