New drivers often make common but dangerous mistakes behind the wheel. One of them is staring too long at a vehicle that’s overtaking them or coming from the opposite direction. It may seem harmless, but it can seriously compromise road safety.
Let’s break down why this behavior is risky and how to avoid it with smarter driving habits.
Loss of Steering Control
When you stare at a vehicle — whether it’s overtaking you or approaching head-on — your hands naturally follow your eyes. This unconscious action may cause your car to drift from its lane.
Time = Distance = Danger
– At 60 km/h (37 mph), one second of inattention means traveling 18 meters blind.
– Two seconds? That’s 36 meters. Three seconds? 54 meters.
– That’s more than enough to cause a serious accident, especially in traffic or on curves.
Quick Glances Only
– When checking for overtaking vehicles, just flick your eyes to the side mirror briefly.
– Never follow the car with your eyes for too long.
Dealing with Oncoming Headlights at Night
– Avoid looking directly at the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
– Instead, focus your gaze on the right-hand edge of your lane to avoid being blinded and to stay on course.
Posture Tip
– Keep both hands on the wheel and maintain an upright position. It helps improve your directional control and reaction time.
Safe driving means staying aware of your surroundings without fixating on any single object. Regularly scan the road from left to right with controlled eye movement to maintain situational awareness.
– Your peripheral vision will help you notice sudden movements from pedestrians, bikes, or cars — without shifting your full focus.
Smart Visual Scanning
– A good driver constantly scans the road ahead, side mirrors, road signs, and surrounding traffic.
– Use the “12-second rule”: look as far ahead as you’ll drive in the next 12 seconds. This improves your ability to anticipate and react smoothly.
Avoid Eye-Hand Reflex Traps
– Don’t steer in the direction of every distraction.
– If something catches your eye, your hands shouldn’t automatically respond. Train your mind to separate what you see from what you do.
Final Thought
Driving is not just about seeing the road — it’s about knowing where, how, and how long to look. By managing your focus, you gain full control of your direction and safety.
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