This study delves deeply into undergraduate students’ driving habits and safety awareness, providing critical insights into their behaviour on the road. Despite India contributing only 1% of global vehicles, it astonishingly accounts for 11% of road accident fatalities, highlighting the imperative of comprehending the intricacies of road safety. Two-wheelers, implicated in 44.5% of accidents, pose significant risks, particularly for young adults aged 5–29. The research entails a comprehensive survey involving 456 participants aged 18 to 24 from Ahmedabad University, investigating their knowledge of accident statistics, adherence to traffic rules, and utilisation of safety measures. Strikingly, a substantial percentage of participants demonstrated a need for more awareness regarding the number of accidents, emphasising the urgency for enhanced education on road safety. The study also revealed inconsistent adherence to driving rules, unveiling areas that require attention for behavioural modification. The findings underscore that extreme climate and weather conditions, like rain and fog, had a minor effect on accident risk. Additionally, the work deliberates on the impact of auditory-cognitive and visual-manual distraction during GPS usage and listening to music shedding light on factors contributing to distracted driving. This study suggests the imperative for targeted educational initiatives to enhance road safety awareness and address both tangible and intangible consequences of accidents and risky behaviours, fostering a culture of responsible driving among young adults, thus paving the way for a safer and more sustainable road environment.