‘Why Am I A Bad Driver?’ 10 Reasons Your Driving Sucks

If you ever wondered ‘Why am I a bad driver?’, this is for you. In this post, we talk about 10 reasons you’re terrible at driving, plus tips to become a better driver.

Since you’re reading this, you probably know that having a driver’s license doesn’t automatically make you a good driver.

That’s because passing your driving exam is just one step.

After those short 2 to 3 months of learning how to drive, you have your whole life to get better – or worse.

So maybe you’re wondering now… what makes a bad driver?

Related: 13 Really Obvious Signs You’re A Bad Driver

Why do some people continuously get better at driving, while others get worse?

We answer all these questions in this post.

Below are 10 points to help you figure out why you’re such a bad driver, plus tips to help you improve.

Why am I a bad driver?

1. You panic easily

Every driver knows how busy the road can get. 

Whether it’s rush hour or late at night, there’s a lot happening around you and a lot to be aware of.

But regardless of how busy it may seem, panicking is never the right response.

Panicking causes you to take sudden actions without thinking – and this only means trouble.

For example, you might hit the gas instead of brakes, or stop suddenly causing the car behind you to crash into you.

What to do instead:

• Pay attention to the road and what’s happening around you. This way, you can notice changes in advance and have enough time to think and react appropriately.

• Relax in whatever way works best for you. This can be with music, prayer, affirmations, scents, or just keeping the windows rolled down. Whatever you choose, just be sure you don’t approach driving tense and afraid. You’ve done this before and you can do it again!

Related:

40 Driving Affirmations to Keep You Calm & Confident

Prayers For Driving – 5 Helpful Driving Prayers For Safety, Protection & Peace

2. You aren’t comfortable when driving

Another reason you may be a bad driver is that you aren’t comfortable in your car.

Not being comfortable can be caused by a number of things, such as:

• Your car seat isn’t adjusted properly
• The steering wheel is too high or too low
• You can’t reach the pedals comfortably
• Your car smells
• Your car is too hot or cold

All these things make it hard to focus on the road.

You’re constantly readjusting and trying to get comfortable, instead of paying attention to what’s happening around you.

What to do instead:

• Get to know your car and adjust it until it feels like a second home. This means playing around with the seat, steering wheel, and pedals until they’re in the perfect position for you. It might take some time to get things just right, but once you do, you’ll be able to focus more on your surroundings and less on your car.

• Prep before your drive. If necessary, prep your car before your drive. This includes taking out any trash, dusting crumbs from your seat, spraying your fav air freshener, letting your car cool down/ warm up or whatever else it takes for you to feel more comfortable. This routine should only take a few minutes and can make a world of a difference.

3. You don’t know your car well enough

There’s a weird beeping sound coming from your car or a flashing red light on the dashboard. It’s distracting, but you have no idea what it means.

So instead of pulling over to figure it out, you just ignore it and hope it goes away.

Bad idea.

Not knowing your car well enough is an underrated but important reason why you may be a bad driver.

If you don’t know what that beeping sound means, how can you fix it?

And if you don’t know how to fix it, how can you prevent it from happening again?

What to do instead:

• Read your car’s manual. We know, we know. It’s long and boring. But even just skimming through it can give you a better understanding of your car and what all the different sounds and lights mean.

• Pay attention to your car. As you’re driving, take note of any strange sounds or smells. If something doesn’t feel right, pull over and figure out what’s going on. The sooner you catch a problem, the easier it is to fix.

• And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask for help! There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t know everything about your car. Just be sure to find a reputable mechanic who can help you out.
  
  Reaching out to a reputable towing service to transport your vehicle to a mechanic can help you avoid any damage or the risk of an accident caused by a malfunctioning car.

4. You don’t make use of your car’s features

This is closely related to our last point. As technology improves, cars have more and more useful features to help improve your driving.

But while these features are great, they’re of no help if you aren’t taking advantage of them.

For example, many newer cars have backup cameras and sensors to help you park.

But if you’re never using them, then you’re more likely to hit something or someone when you’re trying to parallel park.

What to do instead:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re not sure how a certain feature works, look it up in your car’s manual or ask a friend or family member who may know. Once you know how it works, take some time to practice using it so that you’re comfortable with it before you really need it.

• Keep up with car trends. As we said, cars are always improving and new features are constantly being added. Try to stay up-to-date with the latest car trends and see if there’s anything you can add to your own car to make driving easier.

5. You drive too fast or too slow

We all know those drivers who barrel down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic like they’re on a race track.

And then there are those who inch their way along, going the speed limit or even below.

Both are bad driving habits that can put you and other drivers in danger.

Driving too fast makes it hard to stop if something unexpected happens while driving too slow can make other drivers frustrated and more likely to take risks around you.

What to do instead:

• Drive at a comfortable speed. This will vary depending on the road conditions and how well you know the area, but in general, you should be driving fast enough that you can stop if something suddenly pops up, but not so fast that you’re putting yourself and others at risk.

• Find the cause. If you find yourself constantly going too fast or too slow, take a look at why that might be. Are you driving too fast because you’re running late? Or are you driving too slow because you’re not confident in your skills? Once you figure out the root of the problem, you can start working on fixing it.

6. You lack confidence

One of the biggest reasons why you’re a bad driver is because you lack confidence.

Being a good driver isn’t just about knowing what to do, it’s also about feeling confident in your abilities.

If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself or overthinking every move, then it’s going to be hard to focus on the task at hand.

And that can lead to making mistakes or poor decisions while you’re behind the wheel.

What to do instead:

• Build up your confidence. This may take some time, but the more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel. Start by driving in familiar areas and gradually work your way up to busier roads and highways. If you can, find a friend or family member who can give you some tips and help you build up your confidence.

• Be prepared. One of the best ways to feel confident is to be prepared for anything that might happen while you’re driving. Make sure you know the route you’re taking and avoid distractions so that you can focus on the task at hand.

7. You don’t learn from your mistakes

We all make mistakes when we’re driving. But the key is to learn from those mistakes so that you don’t keep making them over and over again.

If you’re constantly getting into accidents or getting pulled over for speeding, it’s a sign that you’re not learning from your previous mistakes.

This can be dangerous for both you and other drivers on the road.

What to do instead:

• Admit when you’ve made a mistake. It can be hard to admit when we’ve done something wrong, but it’s important to take responsibility for our actions. If you’ve made a mistake while driving, own up to it and try to learn from it so that you don’t make the same mistake in the future.

• Be patient. One of the hardest things to do when we’re behind the wheel is to be patient. But it’s important to remember that not everyone drives the same way you do. So, try to be patient with other drivers and give them the space they need to make their own mistakes.

8. You don’t try to improve/ ask for help

If you’re constantly making mistakes or getting into accidents, it’s important to try to improve your driving skills.

But many people don’t do this because they’re either too proud or they don’t think they need help.

Asking for help can be hard, but it’s important to remember that we all have to start somewhere.

There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you need help in order to become a better driver.

What to do instead:

• Take a driving class. If you’re having trouble with your driving, one of the best things you can do is sign up for a driving class. This will give you the chance to work on your skills in a safe and controlled environment.

9. You don’t drive often enough

Another important reason you’re a bad driver is that you don’t drive often enough.

Just like any other skill, driving is something that takes practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at it.

But if you only get behind the wheel a few times a year, then you’re not going to have many opportunities to improve your skills.

What to do instead:

• Make an effort to drive more often. If you can, try to find ways to incorporate driving into your daily routine. For example, if you usually take the bus to work, see if there’s a way you can start carpooling or driving part of the way instead.

• You can also think of more creative ways to get yourself on the road more, like taking a road trip or planning a cute car date with your S/O or friends.

Related: Cute & Affordable Car Date Ideas You Need to Try

10. You don’t listen to other drivers

As much as we hate to hear it, other drivers give us lots of feedback on our driving whether through their words, facial expressions, or honks.

And whether we like it or not, other drivers can actually be a great resource when it comes to improving our own driving skills.

Unfortunately, many of us don’t listen to other drivers because we either think we know everything already or we’re worried about what they might think of us.

But if you’re not open to feedback, then you’re not going to improve as a driver.

What to do instead:

• Listen to what other drivers are saying. When another driver honks at you or gives you a dirty look, try to take a step back and see if there’s any truth to what they’re saying. Of course, they’ll always be those people who are mean and critical for no reason, but oftentimes, other drivers can help us see things that we missed while we were behind the wheel.

What makes a bad driver?

In summary, a bad driver is someone who lacks confidence, doesn’t learn from their mistakes, and doesn’t make any effort to improve their driving skills.

A bad driver knows that they aren’t the best at driving and they’re satisfied with staying that way.

Since you’re reading this post, it means you aren’t satisfied and you’re ready to make a positive change.

Kudos to you!

By using the tips in this post, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a better driver in no time!