It Happened to Me

It Happened to Me

Driving is a rite of passage. You get your license when you turn 16, yet another monumental step on the way to adulthood. The second you leave the DMV, you eagerly call your best friends saying; I got my license; let’s go for a spin! You probably are a little too distracted as you chatter away with your friends, change the song frequently, and take plenty of sips from your starbucks drink. You probably aren’t driving as carefully as you did with the driving instructor in the car. The phone beeps in your lap, and you glance down to see what your mom wants. Turn signals and mirror checks become less and less frequent as you become more immersed in the conversation. You are speeding 10 over, just because you can.Being distracted is what causes the most accidents and fatalities on Utah roads. Teenage drivers like myself have this idea in their mind that bad things won’t happen to them. But it happened to me.

I am really lucky to be here today, especially based on the horrible car accident I got into two months ago. And it wasn’t even my fault. I was going to high school for our homecoming parade, going 55 mph down a two lane road. A car pulled right in front of me and I had no time to stop. I T-boned them going 55 mph. It happened so fast. Listen, I know it sounds cliche but it really did. I hit them with so much force due to how fast I was going, and because I was in an old Chevy truck. The other car flipped and landed in a ditch. I was hysterical, because I. HAD. BEEN. IN. A. CAR. ACCIDENT. Being in the truck saved my life. I survived with only bumps and bruises, when I should have been so much more hurt. The doctors thought that being in a wreck like that, I would have injuries like a concussion, crushed legs, chest injuries and a broken arm. I was shaken up, but fine physically. The driver in the other car was in his 40’s, so he had been driving for a while. He said “I didn’t see her, so I just went.” Even though I wasn’t the cause of that scary accident, if you are a reckless driver, how is that going to affect someone else?

We are all guilty of checking our phones as we drive, and being a distracted driver. As a student that is from a state that is generally known for bad drivers (Utah) I have really seen it all. Driver education on how to be safe on the road is crucial to less crashes and fatalities yearly. Both new drivers and experienced drivers can use the reminder on what it means to be a safe driver. Being comfortable on the road leads to complacency, which is why many older drivers get into wrecks. New drivers need to see that their actions can have a ripple effect of consequences, to themselves and others on the road. Special focus towards phone use, friends, and other distractions while driving should be implemented. In order to get their license, students should pass some sort of exam to show that they understand what they are getting themselves into.

There are many easy steps to take to make roads safer. Parents and driving instructors should discuss why wearing a seatbelt is important when on the road. Limits with phones like “out of sight, out of mind” have helped me as a driver to stay focused. Breaking the six month friend rule and speeding should be highly discouraged. Try not to eat and drink while driving, and keep the radio and other noise low. Alcohol and drug use while behind the wheel is extremely illegal, and driving schools should show evidence of how it affects them and others. A little scare tactic can go a long way. Being a safe and responsible driver is crucial because you never know when an accident can happen as a result of negligence.