Does Experience Really Matter or Save One from Danger? (My Opinion)

Yesterday, while returning from work, I entered a car and sat at the front seat with the driver. Along the way, he saw two vehicles ahead and tried to overtake them. Somehow, he drove in between the two and narrowly missed hitting one. I immediately told him to drive carefully, but his response led to an argument between us. He said to me that, he have been driving for over 20 years now, and he had experience with everything about the road, so he can’t have an accident no matter what.
How true can his claim be?

In my opinion, years of experience can make a real difference because experience isn’t just about time, it’s about learning through doing something. When someone has been doing a particular thing for many years, they’ve likely faced different situations, made mistakes, solved problems and developed a more deeper understanding that can’t always be taught in a classroom. For example, a teacher who has been teaching for ten years often knows how to handle different kinds of students better than a new teacher, not necessarily because they are smarter, but because they’ve had more practical exposure.

However, the number of years alone doesn’t automatically mean someone is good at what they do. Some people can have ten or more years of experience but keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again without any improvement. On the other hand, another person with fewer years of experience but who learns quickly, who keeps improving and remains open to new ideas can perform even better. So, what really matters is not just how long someone has worked, but how much they’ve grown during those years.

In today’s world, things are changing fast, technology, ideas, and methods are constantly evolving. For instance, I work in the teaching line, and in education today, different innovative teaching methods are emerging. It is expected that teachers adapt to these new methods. But if an experienced teacher who has taught for over ten years refuses to learn or update his approach, sticking to old fashioned ways of teaching where only he talks throughout the class without engaging students, how will he improve? Meanwhile, a younger teacher who embraces new teaching methods and continually improves can actually understand which approach works best for students. I’ve seen teachers who have taught for over fifteen years using the same lesson plan and notes they used from the beginning of their career. The same definition of biology they gave years ago is still what they teach now. Where is the improvement in that?

Now, back to the driver’s claim. When someone says they’ve been driving for over 20 years, it definitely shows they have a lot of experience behind the wheel. That kind of experience usually means they’ve learned to handle different road conditions, rain, traffic, poor roads, night driving, and even how to anticipate other drivers’ mistakes. They’ve likely developed good reflexes, judgment, and calmness that come only with years of practice. So, in that sense, it’s understandable why the driver feels confident that accidents are unlikely for him.

However, saying I’ve been driving for over 20 years, so I can’t have an accident isn’t completely true. No matter how skilled or experienced a driver is, no one is completely immune to accidents. Experience may reduce the chances of an accident, but it doesn’t remove the possibility. Road accidents don’t depend only on how well one person drives, they also depend on factors beyond one’s control. For instance, another careless driver could suddenly run into you or your lane. Brakes could fail, a tire could burst, or a wheel could come off completely. Even a slight distraction or mechanical fault can cause a serious accident. These are things that can happen to anyone, regardless of how many years they’ve been driving. That’s why we still see professional and experienced drivers, even those with decades on the road, involved in accidents.

What experience truly does is help a driver react better when unexpected situations arise. An experienced driver might stay calm, brake correctly, or steer out of danger quickly. A less experienced driver might panic or make a wrong move. So, while experience increases safety, it doesn’t guarantee total protection.

One thing we should always remember is that the road is unpredictable. Even the best drivers must stay alert and never let experience turn into overconfidence.

So the claim that someone has been driving for over decades and have had years of experience doesn't guarantee safety from accident. That is my opinion.!!!!