Here in the State of Maine, we have a noticeable population of drivers who are under the age of 25. I like to think of these people as “novice” drivers. They are the least experienced people we have on the road today.
A few weeks ago, I road along with Officer Steve Garrison from the Saco Police Department, who gave me some advice for these new drivers. I think we need to be doing all we can to protect our youth here in the state Maine, so I asked Garrison how to do so while on the road.
After one begins driving, there are a few things most people commonly do incorrectly. The most noticeable is obviously speeding. Garrison mentioned that speeding was one of the most common traffic violations for novice drivers. This leads me to believe that, starting out, this should be a major focus for the new driver, who should be constantly checking his or her speedometer and going exactly the speed limit if not a little bit under.
Think about it: If I am going 50 mph in a 25 mph zone, I have the potential of hitting oncoming traffic, which would be like hitting a brick wall at 75 mph. This little mistake could very well be life-threatening. In 2008, 17 percent of male drivers in fatal car accidents were speeding at the time, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Speeding can also be avoided by leaving extra time in your commute. Motorists should always plan for traffic to avoid the desire to speed in order to make up for lost time.
Distracted driving is another killer of young drivers here in the state of Maine. Twenty percent of driving-related injuries in 2009 involved distracted driving. Officer Garrison told me that he sees cell phones as the most probable cause of distracted driving related accidents.
Honestly, I’ll admit to it, even when I am just typing this column, my cell phone is in the same room and every couple minutes I get the urge to look down at it. Of those killed in distracted driving related accidents, 18 percent involve reports of a cell phone as a distraction.
Garrison recommended a hands-free device, the likes of which are in use in all of the Saco police patrol cars. I also see the possibility of turning the phone off or putting it on silent and then placing it in the console or glove box. Nothing is more important than a life, and I think I can wait a few minutes to read a text message if it means avoiding an accident.
In Maine, we still face the danger of having drivers who operate under the influence, despite the state’s very strict policies when it comes to OUI. If you are under the age of 21 and you are pulled over, a blood alcohol content of 0.01 is enough to convict you. Not to mention that you automatically consent to a blood alcohol level test just by driving on Maine roads, and failure to submit to one of these test results in suspension of your driver’s license. I think it is great that the state has gone to these lengths to keep Maine drivers safe.
We all need to work hard to ensure that Maine will remain a safe place to drive. The last thing our state needs is more accidents. Garrison said no police officer finds joy in giving out tickets, but it’s part of the job and it is only done to keep Maine a safe place for all of us who live and work here.
— Timothy Morris is a student at Thornton Academy who is active with Thornton Academy television station and will be writing this column for the Journal Tribune through the summer.
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