The Drive That Almost Took My Dad

When I first sat in the driver’s seat, I felt excited—but also nervous. The weight of controlling a car suddenly weighed heavily on me. I knew that one wrong move could change everything. But that reality didn’t truly sink in until my dad told me about the crash that almost ended his life.

He was just 19 years old—around my age. It was 3 a.m. when he was driving home after a long day full of responsibilities: school, football practice, and then a job shift that went late into the night. Completely exhausted, he fell asleep at the wheel on a bend in the road. His car veered off and crashed into a tree. The impact was so severe that he lost consciousness and even lost a heartbeat while being rushed to the hospital. He had to be airlifted for emergency care. When he told me that story, I was in complete shock. I couldn’t stop contemplating my grandma—how she nearly lost her son that night. The thought of my parents ever having to feel that kind of fear—that heartbreak—is something I carry with me every time I drive. I don’t want them to ever receive a phone call that their daughter has been in a life-threatening accident, just because I was tired, distracted, or careless.

That’s why teen driver safety is such an important public issue. It’s not just about young people—it’s about everyone who shares the road and every family that loves someone behind the wheel. One wrong decision, one moment of distraction, or one detrimental habit can affect countless lives. We see stories of teen crashes on the news all the time, but hearing it from someone I love made it real. It reminded me that these aren’t just “unlucky” moments—they are often preventable with the right habits, the right education, and the right support.

Lack of experience is one of the biggest problems faced by teen drivers. We may know the rules of the road, but we haven’t lived through the scary moments yet—the hydroplaning on wet roads, the shock of a deer jumping out, the way your vision gets blurry when you’re just too tired. My dad was a smart, strong, responsible teenager, but even he wasn’t invincible. And most teen drivers aren’t out here trying to be reckless. We’re simply young, overextended, and attempting to manage more than we ought to. Tiredness is a huge risk factor, just like texting, peer pressure, or speeding. But it’s one that doesn’t get talked about enough.

That’s where driver’s education comes in. It’s not just a class to pass so we can obtain our permit—it should be something that helps us build real-life awareness. Teens need to be taught not just what to do in theory, but how to handle the unexpected. Schools should offer updated, honest driver’s ed programs that include real stories like my dad’s. Hearing those personal experiences really sticks. When we learn from someone who lived through it—or almost didn’t—it creates a deeper emotional understanding. It’s not just a statistic anymore. It’s someone’s brother, son, or dad.

And the responsibility doesn’t just fall on schools. As teens, we have to take this seriously. That means speaking up when we’re not in a safe situation. If a friend is texting while driving, say something. Don’t drive if you’re exhausted, even if all you want to do is get home. I’ve started to set boundaries for myself, like not driving late if I’m exhausted or refusing to drive with too many distractions in the car. I think more teens would do the same if they realized the ripple effects their choices have—not just on their lives, but on their families, their friends, and even strangers on the road.

Communities and parents can help too. Offering safe driving events, simulation experiences, and local awareness campaigns can go a long way. Even just normalizing conversations about road safety at home can make a difference. When my dad opened up about his crash, it wasn’t easy for him. But it showed me that being vulnerable and honest can save lives. That narrative is now a part of my experience—not to instill fear, but to provide a sense of grounding. It’s my reminder that driving isn’t just a convenience; it’s a serious responsibility.

Driving provides us freedom—but it also provides us the power to protect or endanger lives with the decisions we make. My dad survived his crash. Some people aren’t as lucky. That’s why I drive carefully, and why I want every teen to understand just how serious the danger is. Teen driver safety isn’t just a topic to marked off on a school list—it’s a life-or-death issue that we all need to take personally. I know I do.