In the Driver’s Seat

Rebecca Eaton

Professor Ann Barnes

November 6, 2020

I will never forget the day; the day that changed the way I view the responsibility of driving forever. February 2018 changed not only my perspective on life but also one’s responsibility of being in the driver’s seat. It was a normal day my younger brother and I were needing to go to the grocery store after dinner to get a few things for the following day. I was 20 and my younger brother only 10 at this point in time. We got in the car to go to the grocery store, buckled our seats, and of course put on some of our favorite tunes to enjoy together. We soon would become the one in three accidents that occur 1-5 miles away from the home.

Not even 5 miles down the road from the house; we are on back country gravely dirt roads and we are just really jamming out to one of our favorite songs. We hit some of the side gravel on the side of the road and I lost control of the wheel. I could not find grip between the tires and gravel no matter how hard I tried. We were headed for the ditch on the opposite side of the road. The passenger side, where my brother was sitting, was the side that hit first. The car then took a few rolls landing with the driver’s seat on the ground and my brother strapped in hanging above me. This experience happened so fast but also felt as if we were moving in slow motion, the car came to a stop and I immediately checked on the status of my brother. He was crying, but overall appeared to be in ok shape; as far as his physical health was concerned. I call 911 and ask for help and then immediately call my father. My father was a few towns away and arrived on the scene when the police and emergency assistance came to help. They were able to remove my brother from the trunk of my car, but had to cut the windshield to remove me from the car since I was stuck underneath the steering wheel. My brother and I walked away from that accident with but a couple bruises and scratches and needed no form of medical attention whatsoever.

I look back at this day frequently and always hold back the tears of guilt and gratefulness of God’s hand that night. I always think we would have never been in the wreck if I were setting the example and being in a calm state not too excited by the music. It took me many months to even turn the radio back on. In order to help others it is important to read stories like mine and like others who unfortunately suffered worse consequences from their actions. It is important to have a clear surrounding and complete focus on what you are doing. To help make sure anything you need is ready before you put the car in drive. If you need directions hook the maps into your bluetooth BEFORE driving out of the parking lot. If you want to listen to music there is nothing wrong with that, just make sure it is at an appropriate volume that won’t be distracting to you or other drivers around you. Learn from me, learn from others and always stay responsible in the driver’s seat.

References

https://www.dmvedu.org/scholarship/

In the Driver’s Seat Scholarship Essay