Is a driver only responsible for protecting themselves and their passengers?

A driver is responsible for the safety of not only themselves but also their passengers and other road users. When operating a vehicle, individuals must adhere to traffic laws and demonstrate safe driving practices to protect everyone on the road, including pedestrians and cyclists. This responsibility encompasses a range of actions, like ensuring that the vehicle is in safe working order, obeying speed limits, maintaining a safe following distance, and being aware of the surroundings. The duty of care extends beyond the driver’s immediate passengers to include any potential hazards that their actions may pose to others.

Being only concerned with oneself or one's passengers would disregard the risk of causing harm to other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, which could lead to accidents and potentially severe consequences. Safe driving is a shared responsibility to foster a secure environment on public roads.