Breaks Can Only Do So Much….

On September 7, 2023 I learned personally about the serious implications of poor driving education. I learned that at certain speeds break can do nothing save delay and soften the inevitable. On that Thursday afternoon I was involved in a serious accident with another driver that left me breathless and in shock, and my car utterly totaled. My entire bumper was torn off, the two left tires were flattened, and my left headlight was completely lacerated. It all occurred as I was making my way home from class. While driving, I peered ahead and I saw the vehicle making a right turn into the intersection. Little did I know this vehicle was actually turning into my lane (the left lane) instead of the correct lane (the right lane). When I noticed that it was right in front of me, I pressed my brakes as hard as I could and maneuvered my vehicle left to avoid hitting theirs. Thankfully I did make contact with their vehicle, but my car was completely obliterated by the guard on the intersection. That moment has haunted me to this day. Everything happened so fast, it seems all one can do is brace for the inevitable and pray nothing fatal befall me, nor the other driver.

When I crawled out of my car, the lady came out and cried about how she was sorry and that she thought she was in the correct lane. Although I accepted her apology, I truly wished that she had more education about driving safely. If there were a lesson to learn from that lady’s actions that day it would be this. One, make sure you are completely aware of your surroundings, don’t make a move off of gut instinct. Be precise with your decisions when driving. And two, understand your vehicles as much as possible. Practice with your car in a parking lot if need be, but understand how your car turns, stalls, brakes, drives, if there are any blind spots, how wide it is, etc. Brakes are helpful, but they are not a true preventative measure, the best way to protect your life and others starts before you even make your way onto the road. When you learn everything there is to know about safe and responsible driving. And the final step is to implement those safe driving skills in the real world, where you are on the road making your way to your next destination.

Although I was not at fault, the lesson I learned about being vigilant on the road lingers with me till this day. Sadly this vigilance stains me in the form of trauma where I am almost fearful of other cars driving through this unpredictable path of the road. I constantly wince at oncoming traffic unsure whether they will accidentally slip past the divider, or continue to roam into the intersection instead of coming to a full stop. I’m working on easing this traumatic response, but being in that accident has taught me a valuable lesson about this road. If I were to give myself a lesson it would be to never assume that someone would make the right call, or that they see you for that matter. Drive with a sense of skepticism, as cruel as that may sound. My second lesson would be that break can only do so much. It is imperative to be completely vigilant to ones surrounding. One should train their eyes to see moments before they happen, like a lady crossing the street or a vehicle getting ready to merge into your lane. Unfortunately these eyes are only trained on the road so I would advise you to start your journey slowly, to see the bustling world around you. Then at a comfortable and safe speed watch as your eyes adapt like a hawk in the grasslands who carefully scans their surroundings.

Thankfully, I escaped with a couple scratches, an aching back and tight neck. However, I am very sensitive to car safety because sadly on May 6, 2018, I lost my friend in a fatal car accident. It was a dark and rainy night, and she was on her way home from a volleyball tournament when she hydroplaned into a tree. When I heard the news about my friend’s sudden passing I dropped to the ground helpless and in shock. It was as if one moment she was here and the next she was gone, and I would never see her again. I never got the chance to ask her to prom. At that moment life felt so real, as if the blanket of our youth vanished and we were no longer mysteriously covered from the icy breath of death.

And so I urge anyone reading this: Please take it upon yourself to be a safe and educated driver. Protect yourself and others on the road at all times. Drive the speed limit, or even slower if the weather conditions deem it. If you’re going to use your phone whilst driving, have it mounted up on the dashboard so that you are able to see the road ahead. I would advise to only use it when necessary like for a gps, and possibly calling someone, but never to text, use social media, or any games. Lastly, learn the rules of the road, understand what every sign means like a circle and cross cutting through a “u-shaped arrow” signaling no U-turns. Or the fact that green doesn’t alway mean go: at a left turn, only proceed when you see a green arrow signaling to turn left or when there are no cars coming through. As well as a plethora of other rules. Trust me, I know how liberating it is to finally be able to drive- I received my license when I was 21 years old, later than many people – but that freedom comes with a great deal of responsibility. A diligence to which you owe not just yourself, but for the millions of others on and off the road as well. So please be safe out there because who knows, maybe we could be on the same freeway one day and not even know it.