October 4th

October
4th

Driving
can be fun. It is a sign of growing up. You have a sense of
independence that lingers in you when you are in the driver’s seat
able to drive to that one grocery store or get a car wash for the
first time. Great memories driving happen like getting ice cream with
your friends or going on a road trip to see grandma. Unfortunately,
as one gets comfortable driving, sometimes they collectively lower
the standards of driving without even noticing it. People can become
slackened in their driving from getting distracted, texting, or
worse, drive while intoxicated. A girl in her mid-twenties did just
that. She was driving drunk and lost control of her vehicle swerving
into on-coming traffic and crashing into a mom with her 15-year-old
daughter. That tragic day left a scar in that mother’s heart
because she didn’t bring two people home, she brought just herself.

That
15-year-old was named Alex. She was bright. She had morals. She was
my best friend. I learned so much that day, just two days after my
16th birthday. Never take something for granted. Your actions impact
people no matter what. You have the option to decide if you want to
impact them for the better or not. I miss not telling my friend that
I enjoy her one last time, but I know the young lady who is serving
time in prison regrets getting behind the wheel. I will never get
Alex back, but at least I can spread the word of the importance of
driving safely. Too many people die due to car accidents. If there is
one death, that’s one too many. Sadly, car accidents are happening
all the time. So, the next time you get that ice cream with your
friends, take action steps for safety precautions. Make sure you have
on your seat belts. Make sure you are of legal driving age. Don’t
drive distracted by your phone. And please make sure you are not
intoxicated. These are simple steps to secure not just your safety
but maybe another life.