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What Makes a Safe Driver in 2025?

What Makes a Safe Driver in 2025?

What Makes a Safe Driver in 2025?

Whether you’ve just recently been licensed or have years of driving experience under your seatbelt, driving with safety in mind should be your default approach when navigating public roads.

This is especially true in 2025—when it’s estimated that more vehicles will be driven on roads throughout most countries today.

Driving safely helps everyone on the road feel safe and secure. It’s something that’s strictly taught in driving schools and enforced by government officials for that very purpose. You could pose a risk to others on the road by driving recklessly, which can lead to injuries and property damage.

This begs the question, how do you employ safe driving habits as a driver in this day and age? What characteristics distinguish a safe driver from a reckless or neglectful driver?

Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the markers that distinguish a safe driver from a reckless one in 2025.

1) They Drive Without Distractions

A common cause of accidents on the road is distracted driving.

It may be tempting to glance at your phone when a notification pops up, change the music in your infotainment system, or take a bite of that snack you’re munching on. But if you want to maintain a clean driving record and stay extremely safe, refrain from doing those things until your car has come to a complete halt.

Distracted driving has been a major source of injuries and deaths on highways across Australia and the United States. The number one source of distraction is using a cell phone while driving. Texting or calling someone behind the wheel doesn’t only put you at risk, but it also puts everyone else on the road at risk.

Even if you’re driving safely and predictably, the dynamics of the road can shift in a moment’s notice. The car in front of you may suddenly hit the brakes, and if you’re on your phone, then you may be too late to prevent an incoming accident.

As such, it’s important that you curb the habit of immediately checking your phone when you’re in the middle of a drive. Keep your eyes focused on the road at all times.

If you’re a passenger, speak up and tell your driver to stop using their phone amidst a drive as well. Getting them off their bad habit can help create a safer road for everyone.

2) They Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a respected habit in 2025 as it was the years prior. This driving style entails the anticipation of hazards and obstacles before they occur, granting the driver the time and leeway to respond to changes in their surroundings with haste.

Defensive driving is a holistic approach, inclusive of various techniques that promote safety in the road for you and other drivers. This habit includes maintaining a safe, three-second distance from cars ahead of you, scanning the road ahead for visible markers that require you to adjust your speed, and using mirrors whenever you want to change lanes or merge.

In essence, a defensive driver remains alert at all times—giving themselves plenty of time to react in case of sudden disruptive movements or actions in their immediate environment. Defensive drivers are in full control of their vehicles, and if everyone employs defensive techniques, the road will be a significantly safer place.

3) They Have a Comprehensive Car Insurance Plan

A safe driver isn’t only someone who drives well on the road, but it’s also someone who has all their bases covered.

Third-party car insurance in Australia is mandatory for all vehicles, but paying extra for comprehensive car insurance is optional. While spending extra dollars a month may seem like a waste of money, it can be extremely beneficial if you find yourself in the middle of a car accident.

In particular, comprehensive car insurance helps offer financial protection against accidents, theft, and natural disasters. This is something that basic third-party car insurance policies can’t guarantee.

That said, a safe driver is one that also vets their car insurers critically. They ensure that they’re not getting the short end of the stick and are instead maximising the value of the deal as much as they can. They also partner with reputed insurers like ROLLiN’ Insurance to ensure that the claims process is smooth, easy, and actually helpful.

While preventing a car accident is always the best way to go, life doesn’t always go the way you expect it to. As such, be sure to have adequate insurance to ensure that you’re being covered in case of vehicular incidents. Your future wallet will thank you heavily if your policy covers a particularly bad circumstance involving your car!

4) They’re Familiar With Driver Assistance Features

Many cars launched in the past years have adopted advanced features that add safety and convenience to the driving experience. If you want to be a safe and responsible driver, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with your vehicle’s functionality to ensure that you know what to use in the right situations.

For instance, adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a safe feature that allows your car to automatically adjust its speed based on the vehicle in front of you and traffic flow in general. This is a great tool on highways that stretch for kilometres.

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) tools also enhance driving safety considerably by detecting stops or obstacles in your direct path and applying the brakes when you fail to do so on time. This can be a lifesaver in a pinch when you’re distracted or unable to react on time to sudden movement.

In any case, knowing your car’s features and considering them throughout your drive can help you become a more skilled and safe driver. Don’t skimp on these tools, embrace them to further enhance your driving.

5) They Respect Road Laws

Another mark of a safe driver is one who prudently follows traffic laws. Traffic laws and road signs are there for a reason—and it’s your duty as a licensed driver to ensure that you follow them for everyone’s safety on the road.

A common road sign you’ll come across is a speed limit. Follow the maximum speed limit to ensure that the road is safe for everyone. These speed limits are in place to protect not just cars, but the surrounding properties around the area.

You should also familiarise yourself with other road signs in your respective country. Some examples include Stop, Yield, Wildlife Crossing, No U-turn, and Give Way signs.

If you’re travelling out of the country, like in the UK, then look up common local road signs and familiarise yourself with them to ensure that you can adapt to them accordingly.

By respecting local road laws, you’ll be a safer driver in your respective location. You’ll also avoid penalties, tickets, and license suspensions—which can be a big burden off your back.

6) They Look into Road and Weather Conditions

A smart and safe driver is one that considers the roadwork and weather conditions along their journey. Weather and terrain conditions can drastically alter the safety levels of a drive, and it’s important to ensure that you’re well-equipped to handle these conditions.

A quick look at your phone’s weather app can reveal to you the likely weather along your chosen route—giving you time to plan what to bring accordingly. For instance, if it’s expected to snow along your route, you can bring snow tyres to make it easier to traverse these conditions.

Furthermore, your smartphone map app can also alert you of road closures and traffic conditions from point to point, helping you adjust your route accordingly.

By being proactive in checking the road and weather conditions, you’ll have a smoother driving experience. You’ll also be able to avoid unpredictable and potentially dangerous road conditions, keeping you and your car safe.

7) They Don’t Drive Impaired

When driving on public roads and highways, you need to be in your most conscious and alert state of mind. Driving under the influence or driving when sleepy is something you should actively avoid doing to prevent accidents from occurring.

This is especially true for drivers with restricted licenses, as the rules in your license state that driving under any influence of alcohol can lead to the suspension of your license. For full license holders there’s a bit of leeway at 0.05 BAC levels, but as much as possible, refrain from giving your car a whirl with alcohol on your system.

Furthermore, driving while sleepy or fatigued can also be as dangerous as driving drunk and inebriated. If you feel sleepy or tired, take a break at a nearby rest stop and stretch for a bit. You can also ask a licensed passenger to take the wheel for you.

By driving with your faculties fully intact, you can be in the right frame of mind to drive alert. This is the only ideal state of mind to be, so ensure that you only pick up the wheel when you’re sober.

All the best in keeping safe on the road!

About The Author

Anthony brings a wealth of global experience to his role as Managing Editor of Highways.Today. With an extensive career spanning several decades in the construction industry, Anthony has worked on diverse projects across continents, gaining valuable insights and expertise in highway construction, infrastructure development, and innovative engineering solutions. His international experience equips him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the highways industry.

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