In my eighteen years of life, I have already been in five car accidents. One of them happened as my friends and I cruised along the interstates of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and approached an intersection. Since we had the green light, we continued on our route—then I saw it. From the corner of my eye, I noticed headlights. Someone had run their red light. Their car slammed into the passenger side. I sat quietly, in shock. Glass from the window shattered into the car, poking my hands and legs. I could not fathom that I was that close to losing my life to reckless driving.
Accidents are not exclusive to young drivers. One chilly evening, while driving home on the highway, it began to rain. My mother reminded me again, for what felt like the thousandth time, “The first ten minutes of rain is the most dangerous time to be on the road.” I brushed it off, as it was almost ingrained into my brain at this point. Like in a movie, we hydroplaned across the highway after a curve. The reason we are still alive today is due to her ability to stay calm—something she had always been advised to do. The tires screeched as she calmly let the car correct itself, but inside, the silence was deafening. You could hear a pin drop. This made me realize that even when precautions may seem excessive, you should always know what to do to ensure you make it out of any situation safely.
This experience, like many others, showed me just how crucial it is to pay attention to those driving around you. Safety extends beyond yourself. I’ve realized it’s okay to slow down, to be cautious, and to be that person who cares a little extra—because that’s how you keep yourself and the people you love safe. These incidents have made me more cautious about who I drive with, where I am going, and when I choose to drive. These factors play an important role in car accidents today. Although every driver I am with drives safely, there are always elements out of your control, such as inclement weather or reckless drivers nearby. As you gain driving experience, you also learn that you have a responsibility to the cars in front of you, behind you, and beside you. Keeping this in mind helps you make smarter decisions on the road.
After each accident, I realized how quickly one could lose their life to trivial decisions behind the wheel. From the first accident on, I made sure to wear my seatbelt at all times, no matter how far I plan on traveling or for how long. I often encourage my family members who have been drinking to take a cab home or ride with someone sober. Since 32% of accidents are caused by intoxicated driving, it is something that is easy to avoid—and must be. If you care about someone, it’s crucial to remind them to drive safely and to avoid driving while tired. Now that I am in college, I insist on driving with peers who value their safety just as much as I do. This mindset has greatly contributed to maintaining my well-being here in Hampton Roads. One’s life is never worth a fast ride—I consistently remind whoever I am with to drive the appropriate speed limit, especially because 29% of accidents result from speeding.
Besides being in accidents myself, the scariest accident I ever witnessed happened off-campus after leaving a party. The driver couldn’t even stand on his own. I quickly realized I never wanted to be in that predicament, and that moment made me take safety even more seriously.
The mentality I developed about safe driving has stuck with me in all aspects of my life. Being proactive will ensure your success, just like putting on your seatbelt. I make sure I take the steps necessary to get where I want to be. The truth is, everyone is human, and the only thing I can control is how I handle situations. I’ve learned to take responsibility, not just for myself but for the people around me. This mindset has carried into other parts of my life, too. Something as simple as leaving 30 minutes earlier to avoid traffic or checking the weather beforehand now means the world to me.
Everyone makes mistakes, but the most important part is learning from them. Always remember that you can put words into action. Instead of constantly worrying about accidents, focus on doing everything in your power to protect your life. Accidents may happen, but the lessons we learn to improve our driving are what will make a change.
I’ve also learned to trust myself more—speaking up when something doesn’t feel right and advocating for myself and others because every life matters. If that means reminding others to wear their seatbelt or drive responsibly, I’m more than okay with that. I’d rather be safe than sorry—and that’s a habit I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.