What Happens When You Take a Risk While Driving?

There were 6.14 million car accidents in the U.S. in 2023. Although factors, such as weather conditions and mechanical issues, contribute to the number of accidents, risky driving is responsible for 94% of car accidents. 

Risky driving refers to any behavior that increases the risk of motor vehicle accident while driving. You may still be wondering, “What’s an example of risk while driving?” Breaking traffic laws, such as driving around the crossing gates when a train is approaching, and using a cell phone while driving, are only two of the many risky driving habits people unfortunately have.

Engaging in risky driving increases the risk of accidents and injuries, and can have financial and legal consequences. Let’s take a look at the risks and legal implications of risky driving. 

What Driving Behavior Can Increase Risk? 

What driving behavior can increase the risk of accidents and injuries? Risky driving behaviors include the following:

• Aggressive driving: Drivers who deliberately operate their vehicles in a way that increases the risk of accidents or harm to others are aggressive. Examples include speeding and tailgating. Although many examples of aggressive driving overlap with reckless driving, the primary distinction lies in the driver’s intent. Aggressive drivers may stop abruptly, swerve in and out of lanes unnecessarily, speed, tailgate, or take actions designed to frustrate or impede other drivers. 
• Distracted driving: Anything that causes you to take your mind or eyes off the road, or your hands off the wheel is considered distracted driving. This includes eating or looking at passengers.
• Driving in bad weather: Drivers should be aware of weather conditions and avoid driving during unsafe conditions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
• Drowsy driving: Operating a vehicle when you’re sleepy or fatigued increases the risk of driver error, making it more likely you’ll cause an accident. 
• Operating an unsafe vehicle: Driving a vehicle with mechanical issues is risky because it is not operating correctly, which can make it challenging to drive at appropriate speeds, or stop the vehicle when necessary.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving includes multiple risky behaviors while driving, and breaking traffic laws, including the following:
  • Exceeding the speed limit
  • Impaired driving, which includes operating a vehicle after using substances that impair your judgment and response times, such as alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications
  • Running red lights
  • Using a cell phone while driving
  • Driving through crowds
  • Street racing

Examples of Risk While Driving

• Tailgating/Following Too Closely: Higher speeds and inattention significantly reduce reaction time, causing rear-end crashes;​
• Aggressive Lane Changes/Weaving: Cutting off vehicles at high speeds without signaling leads to side-swipes.​ This behaviors can prompt road rage escalation.
• Running Red Lights/Failure to Yield: This creates T-bone collisions at intersections with record fatalities.​
• Construction Zone Speeding: Blind spots from equipment like dump trucks increase risks.​
• Hard Braking/Inattention: This is amaong the top near-crash behavior as close proximity at the wheel leads to wrong decisions.​

How Risky Driving Leads to Accidents and Injuries 

It’s difficult to anticipate an aggressive driver’s actions because they may stop without warning, change lanes without signaling, or fail to stop when they don’t have the right of way. Since their actions are unpredictable, other drivers may not have enough time to take steps to avoid an accident.

Distracted driving can prevent you from noticing changes in road conditions in time to take steps to avoid an accident, or affect your ability to change course.

Vehicles can slide on ice or snow or hydroplane if there is excess water on roadways. Flooding can wash vehicles off roadways. You may have limited visibility if you’re driving in heavy snow or rain, which will prevent you from seeing the road and other vehicles, increasing the risk of collisions.

Fatigue affects your response times and judgment. If you drive when you’re drowsy, you are less likely to notice changes in driving conditions and respond appropriately to them. Fatigued drivers are also more likely to fall asleep while driving.

Mechanical issues can cause vehicles to break down on roadways, increasing the risk of a collision. Mechanical issues with the brakes can prevent your vehicle from stopping to avoid hitting an animal, a person, or another vehicle. Stay informed about the leading causes of car accident injuries to be on the safer side.

Reckless driving involves actions or inactions that increase the risk of accidents. An example of a risky action would be choosing to text while driving. In addition to breaking traffic laws, a driver who’s texting is engaging in distracted driving because they’re taking their eyes off the road. 

An example of risky inaction would be not stopping at a stop sign or red light. Failing to stop when you do not have the right of way creates risk because the drivers with the right of way may not have enough time to avoid hitting your vehicle.

Consequences of Risky Driving: Immediate and Long-Term 

There are many reasons people engage in risky driving behaviors, including the following:

• Lack of awareness: Although drivers must pass written and practical tests to get a driver’s license, some may forget steps they should take when driving, such as signaling when changing lanes, or forget what less common road signs indicate. 
• Laziness: Drivers can get lazy while driving. Examples include not signaling turns, or coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. 
• Overconfidence: Overconfident drivers may fail to estimate how much time they have to make it through an intersection and end up running a red light, or pulling out in front of a vehicle without giving themselves enough time to accelerate and avoid a collision.
• Running late: A driver who oversleeps or gets caught in traffic may be tempted to speed, or pass on the shoulder to try to make up time.

Regardless of the reason for engaging in risky driving behaviors, these behaviors can have both immediate and long-term consequences.

Immediate Consequences 

The following are some of the potential immediate consequences drivers may experience if they engage in risky driving behaviors:

• Accidents: Drivers engaging in risky behavior have a higher risk of being involved in a collision.
• Delays: Traffic stops and accidents will affect your schedule.
• Injuries: The 6.14 million car accidents reported in 2023 claimed the lives of 40,901 people, while 2.44 million people suffered injuries in these accidents. You may require immediate medical attention for any car accident injuries that occur. You need to know what to expect physically after a car accident.
• Property damage: Accidents can cause vehicle damage. You may also need to replace items that were damaged in the accident.
• Traffic stop: Police may pull you over because of risky driving behaviors. 

Long-Term Consequences 

Long-term consequences may include the following:

• Financial issues: You may incur costly medical and repair bills. You may also have financial challenges as part of car accident economic damages if you’re fined for traffic violations or sued for causing an accident. 
• Impact on personal relationships: Causing an accident that harms others may damage those relationships. 
• Impact on your career: You may have to train for a new career if you suffer a permanent disability due to car accident injuries and implications.
• Injuries: Even if you’re expected to recover fully, short-term injuries can significantly impact your life. Your injuries may interfere with your ability to perform daily tasks or work. You may also experience pain and need physical therapy to ensure your recovery. 
• Lack of transportation: You may not have a vehicle to drive while yours is being repaired. If your vehicle was totaled, you may have to find a suitable replacement. 
• Legal issues: You can be charged for breaking traffic laws. Depending on the laws broken, you could face fines and jail time. You may face a lawsuit if you caused an accident that harmed others.

Have you been injured by a risky driver? Get immediate legal help.

Defensive Driving Techniques for Florida Roads

• 3-Second Rule (Extend to 4-6 in Rain): Pick a fixed point and count seconds to maintain space. This simple act prevents 35-40% rear-ends.​
• Scan Ahead/Mirrors Constantly: This helps in early hazard detection and reduces blind spots by 35-40% in urban/highway driving.​
• Adjust Speed for Conditions: Go slow in rain (Florida wipers mandate headlights), fog, or construction; smooth inputs avoid hydroplaning.​
• Intersection Awareness: Yield right-of-way as this prevents 40% intersection crashes. Maintain space cushions for escape routes in heavy traffic/emergencies.

Technique	Benefit ​	Florida Application
Following Distance	Reaction time/control	Rainy highways, sudden storms
Speed Adjustment	Shorter stopping distances	Inclement weather, construction
Scanning/Mirrors	Blind spot awareness	Busy intersections, higher speeds

How Can You Reduce Driving Risks? 

Understanding how you can reduce driving risks can help you take appropriate steps to minimize your risk of an accident. So, what are two ways you can reduce your driving risk?

• Avoid unsafe driving conditions: Recognize unsafe conditions and stay off the road. Unsafe conditions can include driving in bad weather, operating a vehicle with mechanical issues, or driving while fatigued. 
• Obey traffic laws: Following traffic laws means driving at appropriate speeds, obeying road signs, and refraining from engaging in aggressive or reckless driving behaviors, such as driving under the influence. 

Other ways to reduce your accident risks while driving in Florida include the following:

• Avoid anything that distracts you while driving, so you can stay focused on the road
• Give yourself enough time to reach your destination
• Learn defensive driving techniques
• Maintain your vehicle
• Review weather reports before driving

Bernstein & Maryanoff Provide Expert Legal Help After an Accident Caused by Risky Driving 

Employing safe driving practices reduces your risk of causing an accident and being involved in one the risk involved in causing an accident and being in one. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, Bernstein & Maryanoff can help identify the at-fault party, support your claim, and help you get the compensation you deserve from the party who caused the accident.

Get expert legal advice now. Call 1-800-429-4529 for your free consultation.

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