Drivers Ed: The Story that Changed My Life

We have all been there at that moment. Either you were getting pulled over for the very first time, or you were pondering how to call your parents because you just wrecked their car. Driver’s education is so important. It was probably one of the most boring things you had to do. Chances are you might not recall every detail, but that knowledge could mean the contrast between thriving in your freedom or sitting in front of that tiny little coffin, grieving over the loss of a cherished loved one.

      Driver’s education is essential because it teaches us what to do and not to do, what every little road sign means, and all the laws to prevent the worst day of someone’s life. We could have fewer deaths if we took this education more seriously than just blowing it off or rushing through it.

    We, as drivers, can take many steps to prevent road-related deaths due to driving. For starters, put down the phone. So many people today are distracted by their phones and do not even see what is in front of them. That gets so many people crushed up underneath the cars in front of them or taking the lives of someone’s child, sister, mother, or father, all because they could not wait ten minutes to text that person back or like that photo on social media. Another way to prevent accidents is to slow down and avoid road rage consciously. No matter how urgent the situation may seem, recklessly driving is never worth endangering yourself or others. It is essential to resist the urge to speed or become so angry that you engage in aggressive driving behaviors, such as forcing someone off the road or causing them to crash. The potential consequences of these actions far outweigh any momentary frustrations that you might have on the road. Far too often, people make the dangerous choice to drink and drive, risking their lives and the lives of others. Instead of taking that risk, call a cab, a friend, or a family member to get you home safely. 

       Car accidents can happen in numerous ways. You might collide with another vehicle or be hit by someone else. You could veer off the road and crash into a tree, or a deer might unexpectedly hit your car during your late-night commute home. Regardless of the circumstances, car accidents are often expensive and can have tragic consequences.

      The sad accident I experienced utterly transformed my life. It was a devastating event that forever changed the course of my future in unimaginable ways. July 2, 2018, at 6:52 am, my vehicle was hit by a big red van. I found myself in a state of utter confusion and anxiety as I stood at the center of the four-way stop, my heart racing with fear. The intersecting paths and the traffic around me only added to my overwhelming distress. As the blood trickled down my face, I hopped back into the car to make sure my twin sister was all right. To my surprise, she looked utterly unscathed, while I resembled someone who had gone toe-to-toe with Freddy Krueger and came out on the losing end. I pulled my sister out of the car and laid her on the ground. I sat there holding her hand, waiting for the first responders. I called my mom so she could talk to my sister and me because I had no clue what was going on and if this would turn south anytime soon. After hanging up, I felt everything I had left in my body shift. It was like my soul had left my body, and I was left gasping for air that was no longer inside of me. The paramedics had separated our hands, and we lifted the past fifteen years of good memories in the air, disappearing from existence just like my sister did. The paramedics, nurses, doctors, and surgeons all worked meticulously to save her life, but it was too late. By 7:02 am, my twin sister was pronounced dead due to the trauma of the accident. The driver could have prevented the accident if they had been paying attention. Yet, instead of taking the education seriously and applying it, their careless mistakes landed me in the hospital and my sister in the morgue. 

      I will make the road safer and prevent road-related deaths by always paying attention to the road, putting my phone down, and strictly following speed limits and traffic laws. I will also never get behind the wheel after drinking, nor will I allow anyone else to drink and drive. These steps will ensure the safety of everyone on the road, including myself. Additionally, I will regularly maintain my vehicle to prevent malfunctions that could lead to accidents.

        We can all make the road safer, whether we have experienced a wreck, been pulled over, or done something we were not supposed to do. Taking driver’s education seriously makes the roads safer and prevents people from having the worst day of their lives.