Thankful to be Alive

Driving is a big responsibility one should not take lightly. Driving is not a right, it is a privilege. As a driver, you are responsible for your own life, the lives of your passengers, and the lives of those outside of your vehicle. In a matter of seconds, your entire life could change. Driver education is crucial to maintaining the safety of our society and ensuring that each driver is knowledgeable and responsible enough to sit behind the wheel. If a driver is irresponsible, their actions can lead to serious injury or death to others. While on the road, you cannot control the actions of others but you do have the ability to control your own actions and reactions. While taking my driver’s education class, I was able to view videos of individuals who had been impacted by a motor vehicle accident. Not only did this create a sense of awareness in my driving habits, it allowed me to understand the responsibility that comes with driving. Unfortunately, I recently learned how easy it is to be involved in a car accident. This incident served as a reminder that life is fragile and vehicles are not indestructible.  
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, I was involved in my first car accident as a driver. My sister was in the passenger seat and we had just finished running errands. Unlike many car accidents, I was not distracted by a cell phone. However, I was not entirely paying attention to my surroundings. I needed to cross multiple lanes to travel eastbound. When there was a break in traffic, I proceeded forward. I did not see the car coming to my left at about 40  miles per hour. That was when I told my sister everything is going to be okay and told her to hold on. I swerved my car a little to avoid being hit in the area where my sister and I were sitting and to also reduce the force of the impact. After making sure my sister was not hurt, I called my mom to let her know that everything was okay but that I had just had a car accident. I quickly drove my car to a safe location because the impact caused my vehicle to move into oncoming traffic. I checked on the other driver of the vehicle and thankfully, her and her passenger were unharmed. I will never forget this day and will never forget the horrible feeling of knowing that my carelessness could have ended a life. 
There are several steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. First, never get in the car when you have had alcohol or any other type of impairment drug or be in the same car as someone who has. Secondly, follow all safety and traffic laws. Following the traffic laws should also include being thoughtful and considerate of others. Thirdly, do not text and drive. If you are the passenger, hold the driver accountable to this expectation. And, last but not least, always strive to be a good defensive driver and avoid unnecessary risks that may put you or others in danger. Each of these steps will make our roads safer and reduce deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.