We've all had moments of annoyance with certain habits of the drivers we share the road with. Insurance companies know that some annoying habits are relatively harmless.

Other habits, however, trigger episodes of road rage or create distractions for other drivers. This can result in a dangerous driving situation that ultimately could end in an accident.

While it might not be possible to cure other drivers of their bad habits, knowing what habits annoy other drivers might help. Recognizing when and if you fall into one of these categories will allow you to correct any

distracted driving

habits.

Disregarding your blinker

There's a little lever on the side of the steering column. When this lever is bumped, lights on the front and back of your car flash, letting everyone else on the road know that you're planning on turning.

Using your blinkers is one of the easiest things you'll do all day, yet the roads are full of drivers who simply can't be bothered. Failing to use your blinker isn't just lazy, it's also dangerous.

In 2012, the

Society of Automotive Engineers

collected data that indicated the failed use of blinkers resulted in approximately 2 million accidents.

The next time you get into your car, commit yourself to using your blinker every single time you're going to turn, pass a slower moving vehicle, or change lanes. Within a couple of days, you'll have created enough muscle memory that you'll no longer consciously notice you're hitting the little lever. Best of all you'll be a less irritating and significantly safer driver.

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Driving slower than the posted speed limit

MORE: The Effects Sleep Deprivation Have on Safe Driving

Many people think that driving below the posted speed limit is safer than speeding. While this may be true in theory, it's also considered one of the most annoying things a driver can do.

Granted, there are times when you can't help driving below the speed limit. This could include having issues with your vehicle, trying to find a specific address/turn off, or weather conditions make it unsafe to drive at a normal speed.

When the road conditions are good, you should make an effort to drive the posted speed.

Tailgating cars: the worst habit of annoying drivers

MORE: How much can taking a defensive driving course save you on your car insurance?

Tailgating is a form of aggression that is both annoying and dangerous. The term ‘tailgating’ is used to describe a driver who insists on driving too close to the driver in front of them.

Normally, it happens because you're trying to passively-aggressively encourage the driver in front of you to either speed up or pull over.

Tailgating is dangerous for several reasons. It makes the driver you're pushing extremely nervous, which leads to judgment issues and episodes of distracted driving. Secondly, if the driver in front of you slams on the brakes, you don't have the space needed to safely avoid a rear-end collision.

Finally, it is considered a form of road rage. According to

Betz and Baril

, tailgating results in 2,000 deaths and 950,000 injuries every single year. The next time you're on the road, commit yourself to maintain a 3 to 5-second cushion between yourself and the car in front of you.

The new year is right around the corner. Why don't you make a resolution to reduce the number of annoying driving habits in the next year? Your safer driving habit should also mean a reduction in your insurance premiums. Sign up with

Jerry

for a comprehensive list of affordable auto insurance plans that will make your budget very happy.

Distracted Driving