Driving is such an integral part of daily life in the U.S. that we hardly even think about it. We're so used to getting around in our cars that for many of us it can seem as natural and automatic as walking. The feeling of freedom you get cruising down a highway or driving around with friends is hard to beat, but it can be easy to develop bad habits that can transform driving from a fun activity to a potentially dangerous one. Especially for younger teen drivers who don't have years of experience under their belts, it's important to be aware of some of the most common bad habits drivers get into to make sure you keep driving safely.

Teens at risk
Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that, perhaps not surprisingly, teens aged 16-19 make up the highest percentage of auto accidents in the U.S. In fact, in 2010, 282,000 teens were treated in hospital emergency departments for car crash-related injuries. That adds up to around $19 billion in injury-related medical costs for only teen boys. With such a high figure comprising 30 percent of the total national cost of injury-related treatment, it's not only good safety practice to nix bad driving habits, it's beneficial to your wallet as well.

High-risk habits
When it comes to safety-compromising driving habits, what are the worst offenders? One of the easiest and most important things you can do to become a safer driver is put down the cellphone. In a recent survey of drivers ages 16-21 conducted by Bridgestone, 80 percent admitted that they considered texting and driving to be more dangerous than skydiving, yet their actions speak louder than words. Results indicated that 70 percent of teen drivers admitted to texting while stopped at a red light – which may not sound so bad until you take into account that 60 percent said they texted while driving alone in their cars.

While cellphone use sits atop the list, many of teens' bad driving habits can ultimately be traced back to lack of experience or not paying attention. According to the CDC, teen drivers are more likely than their older, more experienced counterparts to misjudge or underestimate risky situations, as well as engage in riskier driving practices like speeding.

Whether you're a teen looking for your first used car or an experienced driver looking for a new set of wheels, NJ State Auto Auction can help you out. There are hundreds of used cars on the lot, and an in-house finance department to help make your choice of high-quality used car affordable.