As a new licensed driver to the world, I have found myself to pick up on the habits of not just my own driving, but other licensed driver’s habits as well. 

I am aware that as a new driver, I am “expected” by society to be dangerous and inexperienced. However, I find this stereotype to be greatly untrue. 

Though, I may only have been on the road for a year, I also find myself to be more cautious and taking time to analyze my surroundings frequently.

I can not speak for all, but I find that most of my friends who have recently obtained their license also tend to be more cautious of the roads in which they are driving on compared to some of the older drivers I have seen. 

I remember about two months ago, I was driving home from school after a long track practice workout. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon. I was on Saco Ave in Old Orchard Beach, when I saw a small car pulling out of one of the side streets. The lady inside of the car seemed to be aged in her late 20s. 

Despite our age difference, I immediately picked up on her following actions. Instead of looking both ways as instructed in driving school, the lady looked in the opposite direction and pulled out of the side street right in front of me. 

Fortunately, I was quick enough to react and stop. I am not typically a angry driver, but I found myself to honk my horn because I was too baffled and angered by the fact that I had almost been in an accident that wouldn’t have been my fault.

This is not the only occasion where I have seen these careless actions.

There has been various accounts where I have noticed other older drivers to not look both ways as well. Other careless actions I have noticed are that drivers have cut other drivers off when changing lanes, not putting on their signal, speeding, and tailgating other cars. 

I understand that as a driver becomes more experienced, they may feel entitled to let the rules slide, but for the sake of safety of others, this is why these rules are put in place. 

No one wants to be apart of an accident. 

I too can not vouch to say that I haven’t made a careless mistake while driving, but I find that maybe the bit of cautiousness that new drivers have could be used for some of the older folks as well. 

With regards to that, I hope that this spiel brings a sense of awareness to all experienced and inexperienced drivers that these careless actions can turn into habits of bad driving and bring harm to others.