Does GPS make safer pilots?
NO.
On one of my cross countries, I was given a route to plan for, and then satisfied that there was abundant fuel in the tanks, was then instructed to navigate the course using only the lines on the map.
This form of navigation ensured that I was having a good lookout, correctly identifying landmarks by "proving" what I saw was actually what I was expecting. Plus it's a whole lot of fun - and less stress than following a compass heading within 2 degrees.
Yesterday I flew into NZAA. And later on to NZAR. They both look very similar on a early model GPS (the A and the R). If it wasn't for proper map reading skills and cross checking, I would have busted into Auckland or flown too close to terrain after selecting the wrong waypoint.
Lesson: don't get lazy and rely purely on GPS.
ECT?