Modern traffic is no longer just about engines and wheels, but about data, touchscreens and artificial intelligence. If a decade ago, stereotypes of drivers were centered on lack of patience or a simple phone call, in 2025, new on-board technologies (ADAS, electric cars, giant screens) have given rise to new types of behavior, equally dangerous.
Whether you're behind the wheel of your high-tech personal car or a state-of-the-art model from a [car rental service](relevant URL, if any, but I can't post it without a source, so I'll leave it as a general example), the rearview mirror of your behavior remains equally important.
Here is a refreshed typology of drivers we encounter in traffic in 2025. Which one do you find yourself in?
If you're always against time, your impatience is no longer just a character trait, but a digitalized way of life.
Behavior 2025: This driver uses navigation apps (Waze, Google Maps) not just to find the fastest route, but to anticipate and avoid every speed camera and every police patrol. He is the one who knows exactly where to accelerate to the max, taking advantage of the instant torque of electric cars (EVs) or the turbocharged performance of modern engines. He is convinced that if the app does not detect a danger, the road is clear for speed. For him, every green light is a launch pad.
Tip for 2025: No matter how smart your app is, physics remains the same. Excessive speed is the leading cause of accidents. Consider a reality: even if cars are safer, a minute saved in the city is not worth a major risk.
The emergence and standardization of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) – such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and automatic emergency braking – have created a new type of danger: the complacent driver.
Behavior 2025: He relies excessively on technology. He lets his car maintain its lane and distance, thinking he can “rest” or read notifications. He gets annoyed when the system asks for human intervention or brakes suddenly because of a sensitive sensor. In reality, he is not assisted, but distracted by the false promise of complete autonomy.
Tip for 2025: ADAS does not mean autopilot! These systems are tactical aids, not replacements. Always keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Software bugs and adverse weather conditions quickly cancel out any technological advantage.
The stereotype of the driver who texts while driving has transformed into the one who manages their entire digital life from behind the wheel, helped by huge screens and advanced car connectivity.
Behavior 2025: Not only does he respond to messages, but he is caught up in:
Video Calls: Participate in conferences (with your phone on the holder or directly on the car screen, if possible).
Social Media: Check your feed, browse TikTok, or even live stream/vlog from traffic.
Games/Entertainment: The co-pilot (or, sometimes, himself) watches movies or series on the central screen, creating a massive peripheral distraction.
Tip for 2025: A 17-inch dashboard screen may be impressive, but it remains a major source of distraction. Any visual or cognitive interaction that takes your eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds increases your risk of an accident 4 times. Turn off notifications and use only simple voice commands.
With the increase in the number of electric and hybrid cars, the driver obsessed with efficiency and autonomy (range anxiety) has emerged.
Behavior 2025: He drives with a constant fear of not reaching the next charging station. This manifests itself in:
Sudden Regenerative Braking: Stops the car much faster than necessary, just to recover energy, surprising those behind.
Ultra-Low Speed: Constantly drives below the legal speed limit on the highway, blocking lane 1, just to save a few kilometers of range.
Obsession with Displays: Constantly monitors consumption graphs and energy flow, instead of tracking traffic.
Tip for 2025: Route planning is essential for EVs, but it shouldn't become a source of stress for you and a danger to others. A predictive driving style (smooth acceleration and braking) is the most efficient, both for your safety and the battery.
Regardless of what type of driver you are (or have been in the past), the essence of driving remains unchanged: human responsibility.
In 2025, cars are getting safer and smarter, but they can't compensate for inattention or arrogance. Whether you're driving your own car or a rental car, make sure you're always one step ahead of the technology - meaning fully aware and focused on the road.
Until fully autonomous cars, you are the one who sets the level of traffic safety.