Winters Drive

The most exciting birthday when you are younger is when you turn 16. When you turn 16 you are so excited to drive. It gives you freedom and independence. You can go anywhere at any time. No more waiting for your parents to take you. No more planning out what time you will get dropped off. You become free. It’s a milestone and allows you to take that next step to adulthood.

It was a cold December afternoon and we were on winter break. My friends and I were bored so we decided to go to the mall. I volunteered to drive because I never drive us anywhere. Before we had left I went to tell my mom I was leaving. She told me it wasn’t a good idea because it was after the holidays and people would be returning things at the mall. Of course, when my mom used to tell me things I wouldn’t listen. Driving to the mall had taken twice as long as it normally does because of traffic. I should have known to turn back then. As we arrived at the mall every spot was taken. I had to wait 10 minutes for a spot. We only stayed in the mall for a little bit because every store we wanted to go into had a long line. There were so many people that you couldn’t move around. After sitting in an hour of stop-go traffic I was getting impatient. The inner lane had been moving faster so, I decided that I should merge. I glanced over my shoulder but not in my mirror and decided to merge. Then Bang! I looked over my shoulder and a car had run right into my side door. My stomach had dropped and my legs felt numb. I couldn’t believe what had just happened and it was all my fault. I should have looked in my mirror.

I got out of my car to talk to the lady in the opposite car. She told me to follow her into the nearest parking lot. The whole way over I was thinking about how much trouble I was about to be in. My parent were going to kill me and my car was going to be taken away. My friends were telling me it was going to be okay but I knew it wasn’t. If I could have just gone back in time and waited one minute before turning or just looked in my mirror, this wouldn’t be happening. I don’t think my brain had processed what had happened because I couldn’t even cry.

Pulling into the parking lot and looking at the damage is when it hit me. Seeing my door completely bent in scared me. We weren’t even going that fast. I was maybe going 5 mph and the other car was going 10 mph. I started to cry and I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t control myself there was nothing that could stop me. I was very fortunate to have my friends there because they took pictures and talked to the police for me because I was too upset. Every word someone said made me cry harder and harder. It began to get hard to breathe and I started gasping for air. The air wasnt reaching my lungs. The lady in the other car walked over to me and hugged me. She kept telling me to breathe and that I was going to be okay. I was fortunate that she was so nice to me. I was still so stunned no words ever came out of my mouth. I was scared about how much trouble I was going to be in but also about how I could have been injured.

It took me a couple of days to drive again. I didn’t trust myself. It took me some time to regain the trust I had in myself. But now I am a better driver than I was before. I always make sure to double-check before merging. I have become a lot more aware of the things around me. I am more cautious. When you get your licenses you must realize the responsibilities you are taking on. You are controlling a vehicle. Always be aware of your surroundings because if not something worse can happen. When you are behind the wheel you are in charge of your life and your passengers. It is important to pay attention and always. It only takes one accident or one mistake to ruin your life.