We all have our bad driving habits and getting rid of them is really hard.

We are so used to them that we don't even notice how dangerous they are.

Everyday you hear about some car accident where someone was seriously injured or killed: you can't make anything to prevent a drunk driver smash against you, but some more attention to your bad habits pays.

Here's a list of things you should/shouldn't do when driving.

• Keep both your hands on the steering wheel. Driving with one hand is more natural, but if you have to avoid child that unexpectedly jumps in front of your car? Two hands can make the difference.


• Don't talk on your cell phone. If you really need to make that call use a headset. If you don't have one just stop and make your call: you might arrive five minutes later, but you'll get there.


• Keep the volume of your stereo at a reasonable level. If you keep it too loud you won't hear horns, police and ambulance sirens etc. Never drive listening to your mp3 player.


• Stop if you have lost something. Can't find your cd-case, cigarettes, wallet? STOP and search it!Bending down to look on the mats, in the glovebox or on the backseat can be extremely risky: you'll tend to steer left/right inadvertently.


• Don't drive to near the car preceding you.


• Don't drink alcoholic drinks, you need quick reflexes and you don't want to kill someone. Same for drugs.


• Fasten your seatbelt, always, even if you're driving for a single minute. I write from personal experience, my security belt saved my life three years ago.


• If you feel you need to sleep, stop and sleep. You can repeat "I can do it" until you fall asleep...then you realize you couldn't...if you're lucky enough.

These few things can really make the difference in particular conditions. Avoiding dangerous behaviors when driving is important: it can save you the few dollars of a small damage, the entire cost of your brand new SUV or your own life.

Getting used to good driving habits is a matter of time; it won't take you more than one week for things like seatbelt, security distance and cell phone.