The World As I Know It

The World As I Know
It

Savannah Winegar

High School Senior

The world as I know it can be a very dangerous place. There are
serial killers and freak accidents and more illnesses then you can
count on one hand. In fact, we expose ourselves to danger everyday
without even realizing it. And you’ll be surprised to learn that we
do it, when we drive. Cars are an amazing invention that is
definitely an upgrade from horse-drawn carriages. However, this
luxury can be dangerous and even cost lives if taken lightly. There
have been far too many news articles stating the death of people due
to an incident involving cars. And in the following sentences, I will
tell you about my own experience with the said incident and what I’ve
learned.

When I was younger my sister and I were riding home from school when
we were in a car crash. I wish I could say it was minor but in
reality, our car was totaled. At the time my father was driving, I
was in the back seat in my car seat, and my sister was sitting in the
passenger seat. I find it necessary to mention that prior to this
accident my father had never once been in a crash. I believe it’s
worth mentioning so that no one believes they are invulnerable. It is
my belief that is dangerous to ever allow yourself to feel
comfortable when driving. It doesn’t matter how much experience you
have, it can happen to anyone. In this situation, my father’s
biggest enemy was not his pride but the sun. He was blinded by its
powerful rays and in that split second everything went horribly. He
drove into the back of a truck. My sister at the time was looking
down at her phone and so when the airbag went off it hit her just
right to do some serious damage. Her eye socket was busted. I wish I
could give a full detailed report but I’m afraid my memories from
the time are nearly nonexistent. I can remember my Dad slewing out a
singular cuss word before he hit the car. I can remember the dust
from the airbag exploding. I remember crying because my sister was
crying and seeing blood on her face. I remember the countless cars
pulling over and calling 911. I remember the driver of the truck
getting out and frantically apologizing. And I remember seeing my
sister on a stretcher after the ambulance came, the bright yellow
brace around her neck. The very last thing I remember is sitting in
the back of my Mom’s car. For whatever reason, I don’t remember
the hospital or what my sister looked like while she was recovering.
They’ve told me the story on a few occasions the days we spent
there, my grandparents visiting, my father who had stayed at the
accident to talk to the police, getting lost on the way to the
hospital. Maybe it was the shock or maybe I simply didn’t want to
remember her that way. All I know is my sister never really got over
it.

In the months to come, she was terrified to get in a car. And when
she was old enough to drive she was terrified to do so. Even now over
10 years later if she’s in the car and someone start’s driving
just a little too fast or does something she deems unsafe while in
the car she panics. I’ve seen her burst into tears because my Dad
started doing donuts in a parking lot. She tells me she can’t even
help it, her body just instantly freaks out even if she doesn’t
actually feel sad or scared. My sister had to get glasses because of
the crash. Up until that day she had perfect vision. One crash was
all it took to change her life. And yet people still are so reckless
behind the wheel. People who have never been in a crash or don’t
know someone who’s been in a crash think themselves invincible. To
be honest, I believe we should be taught to fear cars from a young
age. Telling us not to drink or text while we’re driving is all
well and good. But it’s not enough. We go throughout or life
knowing wild cats and sharp tools are dangerous. But hop into a car
with the belief that as long as we don’t pull out our phone or have
a drink we’re safe. As long as we put on that safety belt we are
exactly that, safe. But that’s not true. So many other factors lead
to car crashes. Not wearing sunglasses on a sunny day. Looking away
from the road for just a second too long. Playing the car radio too
loud. Not paying attention to the cars around you. Trusting too much
in your own skills. Leaning on the thought that “you haven’t
crashed yet.” I believe children should be taught that cars are not
just machines for our use, they are dangerous. They can be as lethal
as a gun. And just like a gun, you have to be trained properly on how
to use it or someone’s gonna get hurt. I know in my heart this
isn’t an impossible thing to accomplish. We feed things to our
youth every day telling them what’s right and wrong. We can teach
them to fear man’s creation just enough for them to never play
their music so loud that it affects their attention on the road. To
never not wear sunglasses or put your visor down on a sunny day. To
never get too comfortable because that’s when mistakes are made. I
believe this is what it takes, to reduce the horrible deaths caused
by car crashes.