10 Common Traffic Safety Myths—Busted with Facts

Traffic safety myths spread like wildfire, but believing them can put you—and others—at risk. We’re debunking 10 of the most persistent misconceptions with hard evidence from trusted sources like NHTSA, CDC, and beyond. Let’s separate fact from fiction and drive safer.

1. Myth: “I’m better off without a seatbelt if my car catches fire or sinks underwater.” Fact: The odds of surviving a crash plummet without a seatbelt—ejection is a leading killer. Fires or submersion are rare (less than 1% of crashes), while seatbelts cut fatality risk by 45%, per NHTSA. Buckle up, no excuses.
2. Myth: “Driving slower than traffic keeps me safer.” Fact: Crawling along disrupts traffic flow, inviting rear-end collisions and erratic passing. Studies from AAA show matching the speed of surrounding vehicles (within legal limits) reduces crash risk.
3. Myth: “Hands-free phone use is safe while driving.” Fact: It’s not just your hands—your brain gets distracted too. The CDC reports that hands-free calls still delay reaction times by up to 0.5 seconds, enough to miss a sudden stop at 60 mph.
4. Myth: “I’m an experienced driver, so texting won’t affect me.” Fact: Experience doesn’t outsmart physics. Texting takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds—covering a football field at highway speeds. The NSC says it’s a deadly gamble for everyone.
5. Myth: “Cyclists don’t have the same road rights as drivers.” Fact: Wrong—cyclists are legal road users with equal rights and responsibilities. NHTSA emphasizes sharing the road safely; impatience or ignorance doesn’t change the law.
6. Myth: “Bad weather causes most traffic accidents.” Fact: Clear skies dominate crash stats—75% of collisions happen in good weather, per NSC. Overconfidence, speeding, and distraction, not rain or snow, are the real culprits.
7. Myth: “Seatbelts aren’t necessary for short drives.” Fact: Half of all fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home, often on familiar roads. NHTSA data shows a seatbelt halves your injury risk, no matter the distance.
8. Myth: “Alcohol only impairs young or inexperienced drivers.” Fact: Alcohol doesn’t discriminate—0.08% BAC doubles crash risk for all ages. The CDC confirms it clouds judgment and slows reflexes universally.
9. Myth: “If I feel awake, I can drive through tiredness.” Fact: Feeling alert doesn’t mean you are—drowsiness mimics drunk driving after 20 hours awake. NHTSA links it to 100,000 crashes yearly. Pull over and rest.
10. Myth: “My car’s safety tech means I can ease up on focus.” Fact: Adaptive cruise control and lane assist aren’t autopilot. IIHS warns over-relying on tech leads to complacency—your attention remains the ultimate safety feature.