The Biggest Mistake Experienced Drivers Make: Complacency

5 minute read

Experience behind the wheel should make driving safer. But in reality, it often does the opposite.

The biggest mistake experienced drivers make isn't speeding or reckless behaviour. It's complacency. Familiar roads, daily routines, and years of driving can quietly dull awareness. Small habits creep in, and over time they increase wear on your car and reduce safety without you noticing. They don't feel like mistakes, and that's what makes them dangerous.

Complacency usually shows up in small, everyday behaviours. Not dramatic errors, but tiny decisions repeated hundreds of times a week. Fixing them doesn't require new skills, just a bit more intention behind how you drive.

For experienced drivers, the danger is not lack of confidence, but too much of it. When driving becomes automatic, awareness drops. Real control comes from active attention, not assumptions about what will happen next.

The 360-Degree Scan

Checking your mirrors should not be occasional or reactive. It should be frequent and consistent. Aim to scan your rear-view and side mirrors every five to eight seconds. This gives you a constant, real-time picture of what's happening around you, not just what's in front. If something changes, you want to already know about it.

Active Prediction: The "What If"

Do not just observe traffic. Anticipate it. If a car is waiting to pull out, assume they haven't seen you. If you approach a green light, assume someone else might not stop. This mindset buys you time, which in turn prevents accidents.

Hunt for Escape Routes

Never allow yourself to be boxed in. Whether you're on the motorway or stuck in traffic, always leave space ahead and ideally to one side. That space is your exit if traffic stops suddenly or someone makes a mistake. You don't need to use it, you just need it to exist.

Experience can also create habits that feel comfortable, but quietly work against you over time. Here are a few common ones worth revisiting.

Riding the Brakes

Resting your foot on the brake pedal creates unnecessary heat and wear. Instead, lift off the throttle earlier and let the car slow naturally. When you brake, apply steady, progressive pressure for a smoother stop. This reduces brake wear and improves overall control.

Stopping Too Close

When stopped in traffic, you should always be able to see the road surface and the bottom of the tyres on the vehicle ahead. This space gives you room to manoeuvre if needed and protects you if the car behind approaches too quickly.

Steering at 10 and 2

Modern steering wheels and airbags are designed for a lower hand position. Holding the wheel around the eight and four o'clock positions offers better control and helps direct your arms away from your face if the airbag deploys.

Rolling Through Stops

A full stop means the wheels completely stop turning. That pause gives you time to scan properly, check for pedestrians, and avoid right-of-way errors that experienced drivers are often guilty of skipping.

Speed limits are designed for ideal conditions, but real-world driving demands constant adjustment.

Wet Roads

Double your following distance and reduce speed. The biggest danger is not standing water, but the oil and dust that rise to the surface in the first minutes of rainfall. Grip is often at its worst before the road looks properly wet.

Night Conditions

Always be able to stop within the distance lit by your headlights. Use full beams where appropriate on unlit roads, but dip early and consistently when approaching other vehicles. At night, visibility is everything.

The Real Goal

These small adjustments reduce risk and mechanical wear over time, while keeping your driving smooth and controlled.