A Crash into Reality

It was a typical October morning; the sun was shining across a blue sky as I drove down the road that led to my school. Everything was peaceful around me, but inside my car, I kept glancing fearfully at the clock. Time was ticking – all I could think about was the chance of me being late to school. I looked ahead in frustration at the line of cars ahead of me. I considered passing them and was urged to do so by my 16-year-old self’s immature driving confidence. But I decided not to take the risk. As I approached the left-hand turn into my school’s driveway, all I could think about was being late to class. I came up the small hill behind a van and started to turn left so I could finally get to school. In a split second I saw a car rapidly approaching from the other direction. Helpless, I heard our cars collide and felt myself lose complete control of my car. My head hit the airbag with a force I had never experienced and I heard my tires skid across the road. Then I opened my eyes and fought to find a breath. I looked around to see cracks across my windshield. I breathed in to find a peculiar smell from my air bags. I looked across the road to see a demolished car. And then I did the only thing I knew to do in the moment; I let my face hit my steering wheel and cried.

Ever since my accident, I have come to appreciate the opportunity to live each day even more. My accident, which totaled my small SUV, could have easily been fatal to myself or others, but both of us in the accident were able to walk away visibly unharmed. However, I still carry scars from my accident in my fear of driving and loss of my Junior Cross-Country season. Because of my accident, I had various inflammation injuries that inhibited me from running at the level I did prior to my accident. Therefore, I was not able to accomplish many of the goals I had worked years for during my junior post-season, such as running in the State Finals. Also, because of my accident, I feel very fearful in certain driving situations. Before I make a left-hand turn or enter onto a busy road, I grip my steering wheel so hard that my knuckles turn white. Every time I come near another car that while driving, my muscles tense and I smell the odor of my airbags from the day of my accident.

Although my story is hard to relive, I want to share it with others so they can understand how serious of a matter driving truly is. I wish that no other person would ever have to experience what I did that day. I could have easily died or killed another person on the day of my accident; I believe that I am blessed to be able to tell my story today. Since that day, I have also become determined to be a better driver to protect myself and others. Each time I am on the road, I make a more conscious effort to pay attention to other cars and driving itself while not letting my emotions interfere. The real cause of my accident was not my left-hand turn, but my decision to prioritize my fear of being late over safe driving.

My experience has led me to share a message with all drivers to stay focused on driving safely at all times instead of being distracted by emotions, phones, alcohol, or other people. I believe distraction is the origin of most deaths related to driving and is the reason driving is more deadly than combat.

Spreading the message to eliminate distracted driving will save lives. Every person, including me, has a job to prevent distracted driving and spread this idea so we can all become more aware drivers. This message begins with understanding the significance of driving. We must make others aware that driving takes 34,000 lives annually and that these deaths can happen to anyone. Sharing other facts and personal stories about the dangers of driving can also help others understand its consequences. Then we must help them understand how distractions can cause these deaths by sharing examples, such as how I felt as a 16 year-old who totaled her car. Lastly, it is important to emphasize the daily commitment to remain a safe driver.

While it is critical for anyone to spread this message, driver’s education is especially essential in teaching safe driving skills. Through my driver’s education class, I gained fundamental driving skills while learning to be a cautious driver. I was even more influenced by the heartbreaking stories, in my driver’s education course, of those who killed or injured others as a result of their distracted driving. I will always remember the story of a dad who collided with an Amish buggy while driving. The entire Amish family was killed, and the man was forever scarred because he made the decision to text while driving. I remember this story every time I consider texting and driving, and consequently decide to remain undistracted by my phone. Driver’s education effectively communicates the idea that driving requires responsibility and that the commitment to not be distracted while driving is worthwhile. I believe that teaching this lesson can influence others to be a more aware and teach them to become a safer driver – which can, one day, save their life. In the end, the commitment to remain distraction-free while driving is the driver’s choice. But spreading the message about the impact of concentrating on driving and encouraging driver’s education can influence people to commit to consistently making safe driving decisions.