Choose To Arrive Alive

The roar of the engine, the blur of streetlights, the catchy and upbeat music from the radio – it’s a feeling of freedom and control. But for too many teens, that feeling is tragically short-lived, shattered by the devastating reality of drunk driving. We see the statistics: teens aged 13-19 face a higher risk of car crashes than anyone else. Injuries and deaths spike in our age group, a testament to the choices we make behind the wheel. But these numbers aren’t just abstract figures; they’re our friends, our classmates, sometimes even our own families.

Just last week, my cousin, someone I’ve known my whole life, someone who used to baby-sit me and take me to the playground, totaled his car. Not in some dramatic, high-speed chase scene like in a movie, but on a quiet suburban street. He’d been drinking, thinking he was fine, thinking he could handle it. The twisted metal and shattered glass were a stark reminder that “handling it” is a dangerous illusion. He was lucky, this time. He walked away with cuts and bruises, but he told me he would never forget that moment where he made a careless decision. And it’s not just him. At school, I hear whispers, stories of close calls and bad decisions. We know kids who have been pulled over, narrowly avoided accidents, or have been hospitalized. It’s a constant, unsettling undercurrent in our lives, a dark shadow that looms over every late night drive.

Why? Why do we take these risks? Is it the pressure to fit in? The desire to feel grown-up? The misguided belief that “it won’t happen to me”? Whatever the reason, the consequences are devastatingly real. Imagine hearing the sudden screech of tires, the horrifying crunch of metal, the sickening jolt as your world spins out of control. Imagine the flashing lights of police cars and ambulances, the frantic voices of paramedics, the hollow, empty feeling of knowing you made a choice that changed everything. Think of your parents, their faces etched with worry every time you grab your keys. Think of your friends, their laughter replaced by stunned silence. Think of yourself, your future and dreams, all potentially extinguished in a single, reckless moment.

Driver education acts as a shield against the consequences of inexperience behind the wheel. It’s more than just memorizing rules; it’s about developing a keen awareness of the road’s unpredictable nature. It is important to use these concepts to make us safe drivers. We are bombarded with messages about the dangers of drunk driving, but somehow, they often fail to resonate with us. These messages feel distant and impersonal. We need to talk to each other with honesty and urgency. We need to paint a vivid picture of reality, not just the statistics. We need to desire to have the feeling of being truly present, truly alive. The exhilaration of a clear mind, the sharp reflexes, the ability to react instantly to any situation. Imagine the confidence of knowing you are in complete control, that you can navigate any challenge, any unexpected turn. Think of the joy of reaching your destination safely, of knowing you have made a responsible choice and you are protecting yourself and others.

There is power in saying no. No to the pressure, no to the temptation, no to the risk. Let’s talk about the strength of choosing sobriety, of being the designated driver, of calling a ride, of simply staying put. Let’s talk about the courage of speaking up when we see someone about to make a dangerous decision, of being the friend who intervenes, who offers a safe alternative. We need to be the generation that redefines what it means to be cool. It’s not cool to risk your life or the lives of others. It’s not cool to wake up with regrets and a wrecked car. It’s cool to be responsible, to be smart, to be alive. It’s cool to look out for your friends, to be the one who makes a difference. It’s cool to value your life. Being sober isn’t about missing out; it’s about being fully present and engaged. It’s about choosing a future filled with possibilities, not a future cut short by a preventable tragedy. It’s about understanding that the most thrilling ride is the one where you’re in control, making smart choices, and staying safe.

Right now, you should make a pact with yourself. To pledge to be part of the generation that breaks the cycle, the generation that chooses life over recklessness. Let’s make our roads safer, our communities stronger, and our futures brighter. Let’s choose to be sober, to be alive, to be the change we want to see. Because in the end the most important journey is the one that brings us home, safely, every single time.