Australians are terrific drivers on average, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few out there who could use a few driving lessons. If you exhibit any of these 8 qualities, it might be time to enrol in a driving course to hone your skills. Before going straight into the list, take a look at a few shocking facts about Australian drivers.

A few bad habits

– 13.5% of drivers are intoxicated during crashes
– 32% text while driving
– 22% of accidents include an element of distraction (such as texting)

We’ve already seen a few bad habits that contribute to some awful traffic accidents every year in Australia. Let’s take a look at 8 bad habits that can really get you in a bind on the roads.

8 Bad Habits While Driving

1. You’re glued to your cell phone while driving.

Nothing distracts a driver quite so much as texting while driving. If you frequently text while driving, look at pictures while driving, or use any app on your cell phone when the car is in motion, you might need some serious driving lessons.

2. Distracted by your surroundings.

Not everyone can focus on the road at all times, but most good drivers pay more attention to the road than something else in their view. If you find yourself lost in thought staring at the roadside scenery and frequently have to pull the vehicle back onto the road or you find yourself crossing the line a little too often, it might be time to refocus.

3. You’re always chatting.

Talking while driving isn’t all that bad UNLESS you take your eyes off the road to look at your passenger. If you find yourself paying more attention to a conversation than the road, then it’s time to readjust your focus.

4. Parking is an ordeal.

Not everyone is a pro at parking, and that’s okay. Most people are able to get it right after a few tries. However, if you sometimes have to completely park somewhere else because you simply can’t park in a single location, then you might need a bit of parking practice. Remember, practice always makes perfect, even with driving in Australia.

5. Talking to oneself is frequent.

We all do it sometimes. Mumbling something at another driver on the road, making a comment about a piece of scenery is all normal. But if you’re usually in full conversation with yourself on the road, it’s a sign that you’re not paying enough attention to the road in front of you.

6. Braking too often.

Sometimes things crop up in front of us that we don’t expect, and that’s what the brake is for. Thank God for it. However, sometimes drivers lay on the brake a little too often and a little too hard, making it difficult for cars behind them to anticipate the stop. Drivers who break too frequently or break too often last minute realize they have a problem. If you’re one of them, it’s time to work on it!

7. The itchy gear lever finger.

If you’re driving a manual vehicle, you should have your hand on the gear; so we’re not talking about you! Who we’re talking about are those drivers who drive an automatic and have no good excuse to have their hand always on the gear lever. This can cause accidents so lay off that itchy gear lever trigger.

8. Pushiness with other vehicles.

We’ve all been in a hurry before, but you should never, ever crowd other vehicles on the road and make them feel like you’re driving aggressively to get them to speed up. If someone is going the speed limit and you’re riding on their bumper, it’s time to back off. This is a true sign of bad driving, and it’s never acceptable to make other drivers feel like you’re trying to get your way on the road.