I started my driving journey back in January of 2021, and I purchased my car in April 2021. I named my car after my childhood best friend Tina! Yes, eight accidents in six months is an alarming statistic. But six of those eight incidents were minor: two popped tires, scratched mirrors, and parking a little too close to the garage door... three times. With each damage to my car, I viewed it as an opportunity to become better and a cautious driver. These incidents were not just moments of frustration but lessons that emphasized the importance of driver education in reducing the risks on the road. 
Driver education is crucial in helping individuals understand traffic rules, defensive driving techniques, and the potential consequences of negligence. I often reflected on the many near-misses and damages I encountered in my early months of driving. I realized that every minor accident wasn’t just about fixing a car but addressing the imperfections in my driving habits. The more educated and aware I became, the less frequent my mistakes were. 
My first major accident was being hit by a motorcyclist. As I was driving in the parking lot, the motorcycle took a left turn on a one-way road and slammed into my car on the passenger side. Police sirens came from all four corners of the Marietta square, and firetrucks raced at 50 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone, all rushing to assist an anxiety-stricken teen. Even though the motorcyclist was in the wrong, everything seemed to be my fault. I felt an enormous sense of responsibility and obligation plummet on my shoulders. Thankfully, both the motorcyclist and I were perfectly fine. But, if that moment were to happen all over again with one minuscule difference, both of our lives could have been altered tremendously. My experience underscored the fragility of life and the shared responsibility every driver must have to prevent accidents.  
I now understand that accidents often result from a combination of factors: inadequate driver education, lack of vigilance, and sometimes, sheer carelessness. To reduce the number of driving-related deaths, a collective effort is necessary through stricter licensing processes, frequent safety reminders, and advanced driver education programs. As individuals, we can adopt measures like avoiding distractions, respecting speed limits, and being considerate of other drivers to improve driver safety. 
My last accident occurred on Halloween of 2021. Halloween is a holiday meant for becoming someone else for a night and taking strolls around local neighborhoods to obtain the best candy possible. However, this particular Halloween was just the opposite. My friends and I dressed up as one of our favorite celebrities, Adam Sandler, coordinating this outfit for an entire month. While driving to meet them, I was stopped at a traffic light when my body suddenly slammed up against the wheel of my car. Before I could even process what had happened, I heard the screeching of rubber tires against the road. I stumbled out of my car to notice a giant concave hole in the back of my car—with no other vehicles around me. I had been hit and the other driver was nowhere to be found. Scrambling around alone I called 911 and my parents, spending the rest of Halloween (and several months after) trying to figure out what exactly happened and who did it. It was Halloween night; I should have been having fun rather than labeling it as the worst night of my life. To this day, the true cause of the accident remains a mystery. 
Even though both accidents weren’t my fault, they allowed me to grow into a better person and driver. Reflecting on these incidents, I realized that being a safer driver extends beyond personal habits. I learned to forgive both drivers, and to this day, I still wish them well. I also became more vigilant, paying close attention to my surroundings in case of another accident or a hit-and-run. I adopted steps like avoiding distractions while driving, practicing defensive driving techniques, and remaining calm during stressful situations to ensure my safety and that of others on the road.  Most importantly, I learned to be thankful for everything: the people in our lives, the bad times, the good times, and how lucky we are to be living. These lessons are the core of my commitment to being a responsible driver and encouraging others to do the same. Because driving isn't just about reaching a destination—it's about ensuring that everyone gets there safely.