It’s a familiar scenario. You’re on your way to work, maybe running 10 minutes late, and you’re trying to make up for lost time. So you put your foot into it a little bit more and also decide to multi-task, perhaps get a head start on email on your BlackBerry. Before you know it, you’ve got one hand frantically tapping away on the small keypad, the other on the wheel, and your eyes are working overtime to keep track of it all. Your foot, however, is doing just fine laying heavily on the accelerator. Doesn’t sound too safe, does it?Almost all of us make them, so here’s a list of some of the most common and dangerous mistakes witnessed on the road:Pushing ButtonsCar companies and their suppliers jump through lawyers’ hoops when developing central information consoles that can include satellite navigation, stereo controls and climate gauges. And with good reason. Tweaking these devices while driving is a leading cause of accidents and near misses, according to Drive for Life, the National Safe Driving Test and Initiative. Most new consoles won’t allow you to plug directions into a sat-nav while the car is in gear, but almost all allow you to play with the stereo. Try to do this when stationary, at traffic lights if you must.Aggressive DrivingAggressive driving is a factor in about 56 percent of fatal crashes, says the latest study on driving habits from the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership. Though subject to debate, the study has classified aggressive driving as “speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right, making improper and unsafe lane changes and running stop signs and red lights.” The group says that most drivers admit to making the same mistakes they hate to see other drivers commit. Mobile DevicesAs a group, teenagers are more likely than most to take their eyes off the road to concentrate on mobile devices, including cell phones, iPods and instant messaging gadgets. They are also the age group most likely to impress their friends both with the latest in gadgetry and by taking risks behind the wheel. The National Safety Council points out that traffic crashes are the leading cause of fatalities in teens, accounting for 44 percent of deaths.Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C. have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. California is scheduled to ban their use by July 2008. Another side effect of the ever-changing technology? Shorter attention spans, which isn’t the ideal trait of conscientious drivers.Driving While Upset”Well the morning was complete. There was tears on the steering wheel dripping on the seat,” lamented cheeky British pop mites The Arctic Monkeys on their new tune ‘Do Me a Favor’. All very well if you, like I did, took an Audi A4 S-line Convertible to see them at this year’s Coachella Festival, but what happens if you’ve had a great, sober festival, but end up in a fight with the wife while driving home (which didn’t happen, obviously, as she adored the sporty drop-top)? Other situations that inevitably distract from good driving habits are fighting over maps and directions or looking for a free parking space. Try to pull over if you feel your concentration is not fully on the road and take a walk to cool off. As a married man who’s terrible at reading maps and spotting parking spaces, all I can say is, “But I told you so.”Turn SignalsHere’s a harsh lesson learned. When my brother and I rolled up at my sister’s wedding in her hubby’s Jaguar XKR convertible, we expected a bit of respect and not, well, giggles. My brother was driving and we traveled about 20 miles in convoy alongside many of the other guests. We had enjoyed the admiring looks and stares from others on the way, figuring it was the fire-red convertible and the two good-looking lads up front.Only during the groom’s speech later did we find out that we’d driven his car the whole way with the left turn signal bleeping, to much mirth all round and conversation about stupid drivers and their habits. Turn signal errors in my experience are more common in trucks, SUVs and convertibles, when wind and cabin noise can crowd out the click of the signal, leaving the driver oblivious to their error. News source: AOL Autos