Essential Driving Habits for Safer Irish Roads in 2026

January 2026

The more years we spend behind the wheel, the easier it is to pick up and develop bad driving habits along the way. While the perfect driver may not exist, there are precautions you can take to avoid bumps in the road. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced driver, here are eight good driving habits you could adopt to improve your skills on the road.

We’ve all been in a situation where the traffic is backed up, drivers are cutting people off and your patience is being put to the test. Take a deep breath and remember that getting angry isn’t going to do you any favours. If another driver is trying to provoke you, ignore them and don’t react. Instead, focus on your driving.

Having eyes in the back of your head is not a requirement when driving, but every driver should be aware of what’s going on around them. Failure to check your blind spots could cause a serious accident. When you’re looking to overtake, change lanes, or move off it’s crucial to not only check your mirrors but to look over your shoulder to make sure the coast is clear‎.

No one expects you to have the knowledge of a mechanic to own a vehicle, but as a driver, it’s your responsibility to make sure your car won’t put yourself or other drivers in any immediate danger. Make a daily checklist that you can tick off every time before you set out on your journey with critical elements such as:

When you’re in a hurry to get to your destination, it’s easy to forget to maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Keeping at least two seconds behind the car in front will give you adequate time to react should the car ahead make a sudden stop‎. Pick a fixed point ahead of you on the road and count “one Mississippi, two Mississippi” to help you measure the gap between you and the vehicle ahead!

• Stop: Find a safe place immediately. 
• Sip: Drink two cups of coffee (approx. 150mg caffeine). 
• Sleep: Take a 15-minute nap (the time it takes for caffeine to hit your system).

20-30% of collisions are still caused by distraction, with over 25,000 drivers caught using phones annually and drivers who use their phones are four times more likely to be involved in an accident. Luckily, most distractions are avoidable with some discipline and planning. Make it a habit to plan your route, eat and take phone calls before you drive‎.

No one is a mind reader – it's up to you as a driver to communicate effectively and proactively to let other road users know what your intentions are. Using your horn and indicating can make other drivers aware of any moves you will be making, allowing them to react appropriately and safely. Remember, only use your horn to warn others about any oncoming danger, or to make them aware of your presence – it’s not something to abuse.

Unfortunately, living in Ireland means we’re no strangers to unpredictable weather conditions. Extreme weather such as heavy rain, icy roads and snowstorms can catch a driver off guard and lead to an accident. As a rule of thumb, check the weather before setting out on your journey and in severe weather, avoid making the trip unless necessary.

Check out our weather hub when researching the weather before you go!

1. https://www.shell.com/business-customers/shell-fleet-solutions/health-security-safety-and-the-environment/prevention-not-cure.html  

2. https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/campaigns/driver-fatigue

3. https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/campaigns/severe-weather

https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/car-drivers/car-maintenance

This content is not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. This guidance is for general information purposes only. Allianz accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses that may arise from any reliance upon the information contained in this guidance.

Information correct as at 20/01/2026