Nothing Can Prepare You For It

Death is not a common thought to have while driving, especially by a sixteen-year old girl. Of course we are warned about what could happen if we drive while intoxicated or reach for our phone in the middle of an intersection. However, the miniscule details of our daily trips are often shrugged off and can have a great impact on the lives of fellow drivers, friends, and family. Just two weeks before my birthday, I was hit by an eighteen wheeler after a series of uncontrollable, unfortunate events. The reason I am here today is because of the driver education program I took prior to getting my license and wearing my seatbelt. While human error and panic can result in unfortunate accidents, the best way to limit fatalities and injuries is by taking the correct precautions before driving and receiving the education that the state department provides.

A driver is responsible for being aware of their surroundings as well as maintaining caution while behind the wheel. While there are factors that are out of a driver’s control, focusing on their own vehicle can prevent the possibility of a fatal accident. Defensive driving is a large part of the driver education course that should be continuously reviewed by drivers as part of their responsibility while maintaining a license. Many fatalities are a result of other people’s actions. The ability of a driver to act quickly in the face of oncoming danger could mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, wearing a seatbelt could be the determining factor in whether or not a driver makes it home. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, almost 50% of fatalities in the year 2023 were reported as “not restrained” at the time of the crash (The Texas Department of Transportation, 2023). By increasing the number of people who wear their seatbelts in vehicles, the number of fatalities on roads will decrease as well. Accidents happen, but can be greatly reduced by a driver’s defensive driving skills and preventative measures in the case of an accident.

I was in a car accident on April 9th, 2024. I was on my way to school and the roads were slick. The prior night, there had been light rain, and that morning the sky was cloudy and a barely visible drizzle was falling. While I took note of the rain, I shrugged it off since it wasn’t pouring. I drove the same windy, rural road as always and was listening to the radio. Yet while driving 10 miles under the speed limit, I hydroplaned and lost control of my 2010 Ford F-250. I remember feeling panicked and hearing my dads voice reminding me to take my foot off the pedals and keep steering. Despite my attempt to regain control of my vehicle, I was beaten by oncoming traffic coming over a hill and I got hit by a loaded eighteen wheeler. There was no noise, no pain, and no memory of what had just happened. I had to climb out of my broken sunroof to get out. The passenger side of my truck was crushed and the steel frame of the bed was contorted and ripped off. My soccer jersey was in a nearby tree, my wallet and makeup were scattered outside my truck, and cleaning products stained my truck’s interior blue. The only seat left untouched was the driver’s seat. If I had been hit anywhere else, I may not have survived. The instructions that had been taught during my online course and repeated by my father, wearing my seatbelt, and being aware of my truck’s position on the road saved my life and allowed me to walk away with minimal injuries.However, I will have to drive past the shredded asphalt and broken cedar tree for the rest of my life. I’ve always been vigilant on the road and practiced defensive driving, but what happened was unpreventable. Since then, I have become hyper aware of every shift my truck makes, every eighteen wheeler in the opposite lane as me, and every pair of skid marks on the road. In Texas 52.84% of motor vehicle fatalities in 2023 occurred on rural roads and 200 as a result of inclement weather ( The Texas Department of Transportation, 2023). Family, friends, teachers, and myself believe that if I reacted any differently or if my seatbelt was not on, I would not be here today.

Driving is the most dangerous thing we do every day. The educational course prospective drivers take in order to retain their license is imperative to preserving the lives of motorists. I believe that repetition is key. I will continue to refresh my knowledge of road safety and the various scenarios that could affect the wellbeing of others. In order to minimize the number of fatalities, fellow drivers should also go back over the maneuvers they may need in order to keep themselves and their passengers safe as well as practice precautionary measures. Something as simple as wearing your seatbelt and keeping your eyes on the road could make the difference between an accident and a fatality.