I got into a car accident during my sophomore year of high school. One random October right changed the trajectory of my entire life. I had never been in an accident before but it was certainly something I would never forget. When thinking about irresponsible drivers, I immediately envision my younger self. I have always understood the laws and rules of driving and was eager as ever to get my permit and begin driving at fifteen. My parents allowed me to practice driving their cars and my best friend even gave me driving lessons. Similar to most teens, I was hungry for the freedom I assumed came with being a licensed driver. I envisioned myself driving my friends to school, going on fun day trips, and experiencing a whole new world once I got my license. Right before I became the eligible age to get my learner's permit, I went to a Halloween party with a few of my friends. After a night of deeply questionable decisions, our designated driver was in no place to be behind the wheel. With fear of parental punishment and no way of getting home, I offered to drive. I understood that I wasn't able to drive legally, but neither were any of my friends. After a few moments of contemplation, I made the executive decision to drive home. In my adolescent mind, an unlicensed driver was better than an intoxicated driver. This spur-of-the-moment decision easily became my biggest regret. After a few minutes of driving, I found myself on a narrow street filled with parked cars. The night sky was pitch black with street lights glowing in the distance. I glanced down at the GPS and as soon as I looked up I was colliding into another car. The worst thing that could have happened happened; I had somehow managed to hit a parked car. I fled the scene and somehow made it back to my friend's house. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt or injured and all parties only suffered minor damages, however an unimaginable amount of guilt flooded over me. I felt I had made a terrible situation even worse. The night of the accident I swore I would never drive again. I laid awake, staring at the ceiling for hours on end. To this day I question what the “right” decision would have been. I understood the accident was fully preventable but didn't know if letting an intoxicated individual drive was any better. Suddenly, being grounded over a Halloween party didn't sound all that bad. The thought of driving made me physically ill for weeks after the accident. I suddenly had no interest in getting my license or even driving in the first place. Each night my dreams were polluted by flashbacks from the accident. A few weeks later I was strolling the halls of my high school when I saw a flyer for a club called “Teen in the Driver's Seat”. The club hosted open meetings every Tuesday and figured it might be a good way to make new friends and improve my sub-par driving skills. I attended my first meeting and learned that the club promotes safe driving practices for teens across the country. Feeling insecure about my own driving abilities, I continued to show up in hopes of improving my understanding of what it means to be a safe driver. In the years I spent as a member of Teen in the Driver's Seat, I not only educated myself on safe driving practices but also created a community of new drivers facing the same struggles I was. The club aimed to spread awareness of the dangers of driving intoxicated and the importance of following traffic laws. I understood that I had made a terrible mistake but I couldn't let an individual decision from the past dictate the course of my life. I found resources through Teen in the Driver's Seat that helped improve my understanding of the rules of the road and ultimately got me driving again. If I have had the resources I do now, I honestly believe my accident would have never happened. In order to promote safe driving, we need to promote accessible education on what it means to drive safely. Understanding the severity and danger of reckless driving is the only way to prevent future accidents. Following traffic laws and encouraging others to do so is the perfect start. Driving drunk will never be worth a life, order a taxi, find a ride, go sober, but never drive intoxicated.