life is worth more then careless driving

Today
I went to the youth grove memorial. I walked along the half tree
trunks with names of those whose lives had been cut too short. I
won’t forget those faces; the young girl who was hit on the side of
the road, her life taken, her opportunities gone, the bright future
she was supposed to live fade. As I sat in the middle of the memorial
grove I imagined those young girls and boys and the lives they were
supposed to live. One silly distraction while driving to me seemed
like nothing to these victims and their families that moment of
distraction changed their worlds forever. No one thinks it will be
their last drive as they get in their car, instead we rush, we turn
up our music, and we don’t realize that tomorrow isn’t promised to
anyone.

After
walking around the memorial we were given ipods to listen to the
stories of the kids and teens remembered at the memorial. As I
listened my eyes filled with tears;

so
many young lives, so many families who lost children and siblings.
One story in particular stood out to me, this was that of Dylan Tyler
Zimmerman. He was killed in a car crash caused by an impared driver.
Dylan Zimmerman was attending college of the canyons and planned to
marry his girlfriend. He had a future he had just began really
living. What stood out to me was the other driver, he survived, he
must live with the knowledge that his mistakes led to the death of an
innocent young man. Driving unsafely not only puts you at danger but
everybody else on the road in danger as well. I could not live with
myself if I took the life of another because of a careless mistake.
People always see that these things happen, but never think it could
be them. Some of those who thought like this names appear at the
memorial today. In reality It can be anyone and all we can do is
drive safely and not put ourselves in danger by driving recklessly.

Lastly,
we joined in the center of the memorial and shared our experiences as
a group. The kind couple in charge then explained to us their story
of loss. They lost two sons at age 15 and 18 in a fatal car accident
20 years ago. I could hear and almost feel the pain in their voices
as they spoke. One day they were a happy, full family and then their
world was flipped upside down. I cannot imagine the true extent of
the pain and grief they suffered. Their sons left that night as if it
was any other night, but they never came back. Their sons will never
get married, they will never vote in an election, or move away, or
have kids. Their parents will never hold their grandchildren, or hug
their son after college graduation. That was all stolen, taken from
them by reckless driving.

During
this visit to the youth grade memorial I learned the true
consequences of reckless driving. Its not getting a ticket or getting
in trouble with parents its death far too soon. I will never forget
the stories I heard today and the innocent faces with hopes and
dreams they never got to live through. Life is more important than
getting to school on time or impressing your friends with unsafe
speeds. No life is worth checking your phone while driving or making
an illegal turn. I will be better, I will not take driving for
granted. I will not take my life or the lives of others I love for
granted. I will drive safely. I will ask my friends to drive the
speed limit becuse I don’t want to lose them. I will ensure my
younger sister practices safe driving because I don’t want to lose
her. Life is too precious to be taken by unsafe driving.
Unfortunately, it is inevitable that more names will be added to that
memorial but it will not be mine.