Look Up

It always seemed like going the speed limit, keeping off your phone, and staying alert was enough to keep you safe. Recently, the roads are changing. People are more distracted, more rushed, and sometimes just more reckless. It is not just something you notice once in a while. According to a 2026 survey by Nationwide, nearly nine out of ten drivers said they have seen more phone use behind the wheel recently. Distraction and aggressive driving are showing up everywhere, and it makes every trip a little less predictable.

I see it all the time, whether I am just driving to school or heading out with friends. Someone will cut across lanes without signaling, or you will spot another driver staring at their phone at a red light. Sometimes you feel the tension in traffic, like everyone is just one small mistake away from losing their patience. The survey said more than two-thirds of drivers have witnessed road rage regularly, and honestly, that matches what I have seen. It is not just annoying, it is stressful. Four out of ten drivers say they feel stressed when they drive, and I get that. It is hard to trust what other people will do.

Being a safe driver in Maine is about more than just knowing how to handle snow or spot black ice, though those are important. It is about realizing that even if you think you are a good driver, you are sharing the road with people who might not be paying attention. I try to remind myself that I cannot control what other people do, but I can control how I drive. That means focusing on the road every single time, putting my phone away before I start the car, and never letting myself get pulled into someone else’s bad mood or risky choices.

I have heard that a lot of parents are now so nervous about their kids driving that 40 percent would trust an autonomous vehicle over their own teen behind the wheel, at least in some situations. That is wild, but I get it. I know my own parents stress about my safety. I have friends whose parents make them check in every time they get somewhere, just to know they made it okay. The truth is, teens like me get a bad rap for being distracted behind the wheel, and the stats back it up. Most people believe teens are more distracted than any other age group. Honestly, I see adults acting just as careless sometimes. No one is immune to bad habits.

One thing that stands out to me is how easy it is to fall into routines and let your guard down. You drive the same roads all the time, so it is tempting to zone out or go a little faster because you know every turn. But that is when mistakes happen. I have caught myself getting too comfortable, only to have something unexpected happen: a deer in the road, a car stopped ahead, or a patch of ice leftover from the night before. In those moments, all that matters is whether you were ready to react or not.

Sometimes I think about how many people are affected by one bad choice. It is not just about me getting to school or work. It is about all the other cars on the road, the families driving home together, or the kids walking near the street. There are days when I watch people speed through school zones or ignore a stop sign, and it makes me realize just how important it is to take every drive seriously. Even if you have never been in a crash, it only takes one time for everything to change.

I have started paying more attention to the things that make a difference. I always wear my seatbelt, and I make sure everyone else in the car does, too. I leave more space between my car and the one in front, especially when the roads are wet or icy. If the weather is bad, I give myself extra time so I am not tempted to rush. I do not mess with my phone, and if I need to look at navigation or send a message, I pull over. Staying focused is not just a tip you hear in driver’s ed, it really can be the difference between a close call and something much worse.

I think defensive driving is more important than ever. That means expecting the unexpected, keeping an eye out for people making mistakes, and never assuming everyone else is paying attention. If another driver is acting aggressive or reckless, I do my best to stay calm and keep my distance. There is no point in trying to race or prove anything on the road. I would rather arrive a few minutes late than not arrive at all.

Even with all the unpredictable behavior out there, I know I can make choices that keep myself and others safer. Programs like Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards show that building safe habits pays off, not just in rewards, but in peace of mind. Some companies are even using technology like dashcams and GPS tracking to help drivers stay accountable and protected. But at the end of the day, it still comes down to the choices you make every time you drive.

Driving in Maine is not always easy. The weather can be brutal, and the roads can feel unpredictable, especially when other people are not paying attention. But that is exactly why safety matters so much. Every time I get behind the wheel, I remind myself that one moment of carelessness can affect a lot of people, not just me. I want to be someone who takes that responsibility seriously, whether I am alone or driving friends to school or just heading out on errands. Safe driving means respect for everyone on the road, and it is something worth choosing every single time.