Beginner Driver Education · Driver Behaviour
Positive Driving Attitudes for Safer Roads
Driviology Road Safety Education Team
What this actually means for you
Attitude sounds like a soft topic until you watch it drive. A patient driver leaves a gap; an impatient one fills it and brakes late.
Promote Positive Driving Attitudes for Road Safety
Understanding all negative attitudes to avoid while driving and knowing how to maintain the right driving attitude is essential.
Positive driving attitudes prioritize safety, consideration for other road users, and responsible decision-making. They involve behaviours and habits that can help prevent accidents and promote safe driving.
Below are some examples of positive driving attitudes:
Patience and tolerance: Drivers who exhibit patience and tolerance while driving are less likely to engage in aggressive driving behaviours such as tailgating or cutting off other drivers. They allow other drivers to merge or change lanes, maintain following safe distances, and use turn signals to indicate their intentions.
Defensive driving: Defensive driving is a set of skills and techniques that help drivers anticipate and avoid potential hazards on the road. Drivers who practice defensive driving stay alert, scan the road ahead and maintain a safe following distance. They also obey traffic laws and avoid distractions, such as using cell phones or eating while driving.
Respect for other road users: Drivers who exhibit respect for other road users are considerate of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. They yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, give cyclists enough space when passing them, and avoid cutting off other drivers. They also use their horns sparingly and only when necessary to alert other drivers of their presence.
Responsible decision-making: Responsible drivers take breaks when necessary, plan their routes, and avoid unnecessary distractions. Drivers who make responsible decisions are less likely to engage in risky behaviours such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or driving while drowsy. They also avoid driving when stressed or emotionally upset.
Calm and composed: A positive driving attitude also includes being calm and composed. This means remaining calm in challenging situations like heavy traffic or road construction. Calm and composed drivers avoid overreacting to other drivers' mistakes or bad behaviour, which can lead to accidents.
In conclusion, positive driving attitudes prioritize safety, consideration for others, and responsible decision-making. These attitudes can help drivers avoid accidents, reduce stress, and arrive at their destinations safely. By practicing positive driving attitudes, drivers can significantly contribute to safer and more harmonious roads.
Using this on Ontario roads — and on your road test
GTA traffic will test your attitude daily: the 401 at rush hour, a delivery truck double-parked on a side street, a new driver hesitating at a four-way stop. None of that is personal, and treating it as personal is when mistakes start.
Questions drivers ask us
Can a bad attitude actually make me a worse driver?
Yes. Frustration and impatience change your decisions: smaller gaps, later braking, faster speeds.
How do I stay calm in heavy traffic?
Leave earlier so you are not racing the clock, keep a comfortable following distance, and treat delays as part of the trip rather than something being done to you.
Do examiners notice attitude on a road test?
They notice composure. Staying patient and courteous under pressure is part of what a safe, licensed driver looks like.