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11 minute read Published on Jul 18, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Most people nowadays don’t consider themselves bad drivers. But almost everyone has a driving experience where they wish things had gone differently. Whether it be a sudden brake or close call, becoming a better driver isn’t about being perfect every time you’re behind the steering wheel; it’s about making these types of situations less frequent and less stressful.
Better driving skills come from building small, consistent habits. Over time, those habits can add up to safer trips, less stressful commutes and more confidence while on the road.
This guide is designed to give you practical tips on how to be a better driver that you can implement today, whether you’re navigating urban streets in Toronto, winter driving conditions in Alberta or busy parking lots in downtown Vancouver. The goal here isn’t to be more aggressive, but to drive more comfortably, predictably and with less risk for you and other drivers sharing the road.
We’ll break down driving skills like identifying hazards early on, staying in control of your vehicle, adapting to different road conditions, managing your speed and more. By mastering these skills and others, you can become a better driver today.
Good driving starts with having a good vision of your surroundings. The earlier you’re able to notice changes around you, the more time you have to respond correctly instead of reacting at the last second. Let's take a look:
To effectively scan your surroundings, you need to follow a pattern. Look far ahead to spot traffic changes, turn signals, motorists changing lanes, traffic lights and pedestrians. Then, shift your gaze to a midway point to track drivers near you. From there, check your dashboard to verify your speed before scanning your mirrors and sides.
Aim to check your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds. This will keep you aware of what’s happening behind you without taking your eyes off the road ahead for longer. Always scan your surroundings for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, children and animals. Also, look for debris and changes in weather patterns. By identifying these hazards early on, you’ll have enough time to gently hit your brakes rather than braking hard at the last second.
Even in modern vehicles, blind spots still exist, which is why shoulder checks are essential before changing lanes, making right turns and merging into traffic. Your biggest blind spot will be directly behind your rear doors. By conducting a shoulder check, you’ll be able to see what your mirrors don’t show. Remember that modern monitoring systems can be helpful, but they’re not a replacement for looking over your shoulder.
Travel distances are one of the best safety tools you have when driving on a public road. The 3-second following rule is ideal when travelling in ideal weather and traffic conditions. When travelling in the rain, snow, darkness or in heavy traffic, lengthen your travel distance to 4 to 6 seconds.
By maintaining a safe driving distance between you and other drivers, you’ll have a greater reaction time, which can help lower your risk of rear-ending someone. Remember, your reaction time increases as your speed increases, so keep this in mind when travelling on the highway.
Further, try maintaining a cushion around your vehicle at all times when possible. Your goal is to avoid being boxed in on all sides by other vehicles. When you’re on the highway, maintain a steady speed limit and leave enough space to change lanes safely. On the other hand, if you’re in a school or residential area, slow your speed early on and remain alert for unpredictable hazards.
Smooth driving equals stable driving. Abruptness can lead to steering wheel instability and force other drivers to panic in response. Next, you’ll want to aim to brake progressively, not suddenly. Gently pressing on your brakes is a lot more effective and predictable than braking at the last second. When handling your steering wheel, keep your hands positioned at 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock, for better leverage and to allow your airbag to deploy safely in the event of a collision.
When accelerating, press on the gas pedal gradually. Accelerating smoothly will improve tire traction, fuel efficiency and comfort for you and your passengers. It also helps reduce the wear and tear of your brakes and tires.
Intersections are some of the highest-risk areas for traffic collisions on the road. In fact, according to the Canadian Association for Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), in Canada, intersections accounted for 41% of serious injuries and 27% of traffic fatalities in 2022.
Expect mistakes to happen when travelling through intersections. Watch out for stale green lights, turning vehicles and pedestrians who may enter the intersection late. Vulnerable road users, including children, e-scooters and cyclists, often appear suddenly. Always scan your blind spots.
When in school zones, reduce your speed and expect predictable behaviour, especially from children. They can move quickly and may not look both ways before entering the street. Remember to be extra cautious with parked vehicles, as doors can open suddenly and block your view of those crossing.
Driving in the winter is no joke, especially in Canada. That’s why practicing patience and defensive driving skills is essential to keeping you safe behind the wheel. Traction on roadways is often limited, so your acceleration, steering and braking should be gentle to avoid a loss of control.
According to Canada Drivers, winter tires provide better grip than all-season tires and your tire pressure can drop about 0.19 PSI per 1 degree Celsius. So, make sure to check your tire pressure regularly.
Beyond this, if your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system, allow it to activate while braking on slippery surfaces. In the event you lose control of your vehicle, steer gently in the direction you want the front end of your vehicle to go.
Finally, clear all snow and ice from your windows, lights and mirrors. Ensure your defrost setting is on at all times to prevent your windows and windshield from fogging up when you’re travelling. And don’t forget to increase your following distance.
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Driving on the highway can be stressful for a lot of drivers due to increased speed limits. When merging onto the highway, aim to match the speed of traffic early on. Once you’ve entered the on-ramp, signal early on and wait for a gap in traffic before merging. Remember to check your mirrors and conduct a shoulder check.
Maintain a safe driving distance to stay out of other drivers’ blind spots and give larger trucks and SUVs extra space. They may require a longer stopping distance.
Driving in the city is busy and unpredictable. Expect frequent stopping from other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters, sudden lane changes and mixed traffic conditions.
Keep an eye out for bike lanes and people crossing. Scanning your mirrors, the road ahead and conducting shoulder checks often can work in your favour. If you’re in the GTA, yield to streetcars; in other cities, remember that buses have the right of way and can stop or merge suddenly.
Always stay focused and reduce distractions. Keep your phone away and give the road ahead your full attention, as pedestrians can cross traffic or step out late through intersections.
Even when travelling at low speed limits, vehicle control still matters. Only turn your steering wheel when your vehicle is actively moving, as doing so can avoid putting strain on your vehicle components. If you need to parallel or reverse stall park, pay attention to reference points, take advantage of your backup camera and always be on the lookout for children, animals and other cars/obstacles.
Whenever possible, reverse into a parking space or pull through to the spot ahead of you. This will make exiting your stall a lot safer by improving the visibility of your surroundings.
Driving at night can significantly impede your visibility; this is especially true when weather conditions are less than favourable. Remember to use your headlights properly. In heavy snow or foggy conditions, use your low beams. Only use your high beams when roads are clear and there is no one ahead of you, as it can reduce other motorists’ visibility.
To manage glare, focus slightly to the right of the oncoming headlights. In the rain, reduce your speed to prevent hydroplaning and increase your following distance.
Practising defensive driving skills and frameworks can help you make better decisions in high-stress scenarios. Instead of reacting with emotion and rushing your choices, defensive driving skills can help you create habits that keep you calm, cool and in control. A common defensive driving model is SIPDE:
Scan your surroundings constantly.
Identify any potential hazards.
Predict what may happen next.
Decide the safest way to respond to the situation at hand.
Execute your maneuver smoothly and early on.
Another commonly used defensive driving model is SEE:
Search the road ahead, behind and beside you.
Evaluate risks and changing driving conditions.
Execute the best course of action with control.
Using both frameworks consistently can build your muscle memory and reduce your anxiety when faced with a stressful driving scenario. Ultimately, defensive driving teaches you to have an escape route at all times. This could be anything from leaving extra space in front of you to avoiding driving beside large vehicles.
Being a better driver isn’t just about adopting certain skills and habits; it also comes down to ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive as well. Small adjustments can not only improve your comfort, but they can also enhance your visibility and reaction time.
Start with the position of your driver’s seat. You should aim to sit up high enough that you’re able to clearly see over your dashboard, which means having your feet reach your pedals comfortably, while keeping a slight bend in your knees. Then, adjust the back of your seat so that your shoulders remain in contact with the back, while your hands rest easily on the steering wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock, as we mentioned earlier. You’ll also want to position your steering wheel so that it does not block your view and allows enough space for your airbag to deploy safely.
Next, position your mirrors to minimize blind spots. When adjusted correctly, you should be able to see vehicles moving in your peripheral vision.
Ongoing vehicle maintenance also plays a major role in vehicle safety. Check your tire pressure (especially in the winter) and tread regularly. Top up your fluids, monitor your brake condition and stay up to date on oil changes. Summer and winter prep is key to adding an extra layer of confidence when you’re out on the road.
If you drive a relatively newer vehicle, it likely comes equipped with advanced driver-assistance features that are designed to keep you safe and help support you on the road. That said, these assistance features only work when you adopt good habits. They should never replace your driving skills.
Blind spot monitoring alerts drivers when vehicles approach that they may not see, but it won’t detect everything. Always confirm motorists around you by checking your mirrors and doing regular shoulder checks.
Lane-keep assist can help prevent your vehicle from drifting into the lanes beside you, but this feature can struggle in poor weather conditions as it relies on cameras to operate. On the other hand, adaptive cruise control helps manage following distances on highways, but it will never eliminate the need to stay alert and be ready to brake.
Ultimately, the key with these systems is understanding how to use them, what they do well and where they fall short. When used correctly, they’ll work alongside your skills and habits to enhance your safety overall.
Improving your driving skills requires consistent practice. Here’s a 30-day practice plan that will have you driving more confidently in no time:
Week 1: Focus on your observation and alertness. Practice scanning ahead, checking your mirrors and driving smoothly.
Week 2: Work on your space management and hazard perception. Increase your following distance and learn to anticipate risks.
Week 3: Build your confidence on highways and practice seasonal driving skills depending on what time of year it is.
Week 4: Focus on city driving, parking lots and using defensive driving frameworks.
Attending a driving school can help if you’re feeling anxious about practicing defensive driving techniques, have difficulty parking or have experienced some close calls.
A driving school instructor can provide you with feedback, offer structured practice schedules and allow you to practice in a safe and encouraging environment. If seeking a driving instructor, ask them the following questions:
Do you receive a certification at the end of the course?
What is their teaching approach?
What vehicle will you be using during the course?
What lessons do they focus on?
Here are some quick, good driving tips and skills to print out and remember the next time you’re behind the wheel:
Ensure your seat and side mirrors are properly adjusted for optimal control, comfort and visibility.
Minimize distractions while driving (cell phones, pets, people, etc.).
Know the weather conditions before you get on the road and adjust your speed accordingly.
Always wear your seatbelt.
Obey the rules of the road (speed limits, traffic signs).
Don’t drink and drive.
Allow adequate space between your car and the car in front of you and refrain from tailgating.
Avoid making quick stops and accelerating hard.
Provide a sufficient amount of time when indicating a turn or lane change.
Slow down at intersections.
Be aware of other cars, cyclists or pedestrians on the road, even if you have the right-of-way.
Always remember to shoulder check.
Be alert and stay focused.
As with all things, practice makes perfect. Adopting good driving habits takes repetition and continual practice. Taking the opportunity to practice in different driving situations will improve your driving abilities.
Did you know that being a good driver has many benefits? Not only will you reduce the chances of getting into an accident, but being a good driver can also save you money on your car insurance.
With the recent introduction of usage-based insurance (UBI) or telematics in Ontario, insurance providers are now offering insurance premium discounts for safe driving habits. By installing a device in your vehicle, your driving habits can be assessed by tracking your acceleration, braking and the time of day you’re driving.
Ask a BrokerLink broker today how you can save up to 25% on your car insurance and get rewarded for your good driving habits!
