A Text for a Life?

A Text for a Life?

As the instructor dismissed us and reminded us to “drive safe,” I walked out of the driving school and sat on the curb. I anxiously waited for my parents to arrive, excited that my spring break had officially started. As I saw my parents’ car pull into the parking lot, I walked towards it ecstatic to be departing for Hilton Head Island.

While driving down the interstate, I told my parents about the important information I learned in my drivers ed class. As I shared with them the scary stories and statistics I was taught about texting and driving, they were confident this information would install a fear of texting and driving within me, leaving me a more responsible driver capable of protecting the lives of both myself and those on the road around me. They were happy to hear how much my knowledge of road safety had grown, thanks to drivers ed.

A few hours later, we noticed a car ahead of us swerving lanes. As we got next to it, we were not surprised to see a phone in the drivers hands. My mom slowed down in order to keep the car in front of her. Suddenly, I heard a screeching of tires, and felt my face hit the headrest in front of me as my mom slammed on the brakes. When I looked up, I saw three cars in a pile up with two of them upside down. My mom jumped out of the car and ran towards the collision.

Seeing a girl on the ground, my mom asked her if she was ok, and realized that she was in shock. She hugged her and yelled for us to bring her a blanket and call 911. After a few minutes passed, my mom repeated her question and again asked the girl if she was alright, to which the driver frantically replied, “I was texting.” When the ambulance arrived, the EMTs gathered all the crash victims into the vehicle, turned on the sirens, and sped off.

To this day, whenever I’m in the car with a driver who irresponsibly begins texting, I ask them to stop. I then often find myself thinking if only the laws regarding texting and driving were harsher, people would be less likely to do so, preventing many serious accidents, and saving lives. What if instead of a minor fine, consequences for texting and driving included jail time or a loss of license? Would drivers still find sending a text worth the risk?

Two years later, I still think of this accident everytime I get into my car. Before turning the key, I set my phone on do not disturb, removing the temptation to text; and encourage my family and friends to do the same. Reflecting on that day, I realize the scary stories and statistics my drivers ed instructor shared with our class were not just stories. In fact, they are a very dangerous reality.