Safe Driving Pledge

I’ll never forget the day, April 14^th, 2020 when I saw my Dad breakdown hysterically crying on our front lawn. Inconsolable because we had learned my Grandpa (his Dad) had been in a fatal car accident at 3:04pm. I can count on one hand how many times I have seen my father cry. It will forever be an image I cannot erase from my head. It breaks my heart to think of it and write this.

The accident was one month into a worldwide pandemic and everything was shutting down. My Grandpa’s wake only allowed family to attend, ten people at a time rotating through. At his military burial in Saratoga National Cemetery we were not allowed to get our of our cars to pay our respects. Another gut wrenching blow for a family who’s patriarch served our nartion’s military.

We learned a bit later on that the other driver was a young, 23 year old who was leaving her job at work and driving in a very large jeep with deadly bars on this front. The intersection had already been deemed a troublespot as it is a two way stop on the top of a hill. The other drive never braked and my Grandpa was too far into the intersection. The intersection has since been red flagged (literally) on both stop signs.

Many months went by when we learned the other driver was driving impared. The person had three times the amount of fentynol in their system than should be allowed. Our family was very disppointed and angered to learn such a tradgedy could have been prevented. This driver was completely irresponsible getting behind the wheel of a two ton vehicle. It makes me sick to my stomach to this day.

I learned many things as a result of the tradgedy that day. It is crucial to be alert, and driving without any impairments (drugs, alcohol, cell phones, etc…). It is vital to understand the resposibility of getting behind the wheel of any vehicle, each and every time. Someone’s loved one is behind every wheel. No one wants to receive a phone call like we did that day back in April.

If people understood the results of how many lives are impacted by such irresponsible decisions the world would be a better place. Everyday 29 people die in car crashes in the United States by an alcohol-impaired driver. Drunk driving causes more than 10,000 deaths every year. (CDC.gov) It just makes me so upset that many lives could be saved with just knowing the importance of safe driving.

There are so many steps that can be taken to reduce these numbers out there. In addition to all the education offered about safe driving, to calling a cab, Uber or Lift. The easy step of asking someone else for a ride. And very importantly, getting to the root cause of the individual’s drug and or alcohol abuse. I know my parents have always said “no matter what call if I ever need a ride anywhere, anytime”. I will never get behind the wheel or go with anyone impaired because I know first hand the devastation it can cause.

My grandfather was a larger than life character who raised five amazing children, attending church daily, served in the community, and fought for our country. He was an amazing man who loved spending time with his grandchildren. His life was cut short because someone decided to drive after using drugs irresponsibly. Nothing will bring him back but I know I can make him proud in the positive decisions I choose to make.

It’s not always “cool” to be the friend always talking about “how are we getting there?” and “how are we getting home?” but I will continue to educate anyone who will listen. It’s important for all of us to understand safe driving invloves all of us. It’s important to step in and take action of we ever see anyone who is not in a position to be driving. The onous is on each and every one of us to take action.

I continue to pledge to be a safe driver. My high school does an excellent job with safe driving awareness but it means even more to me since my family experienced the fatal accident. I will never forget that day and what impact it has had on all of us. I have come to forgive the other driver but I will never make the same mistake. We need to learn from others mistakes so we don’t cause the same harm. Driving a vehicle is a huge responsibility and one that no human being should ever take lightly.