In An Instant

September
13, 2017, I made the most terrifying mistake of my life. I had just
gotten my driver’s permit, so you can imagine I was a wide eyed kid
not taking holding my own life in my hands too seriously. I came to
an intersection casually just listening to my dad, who was in the
passenger seat, talk about the chocolate milk he had just bought me
and teasing me because I could never get the lid off. I pulled out
carelessly, looking to my right only once and proceeded to turn. I
had never looked left. My life changed in an instant. It seemed to
happen in slow motion, just like you see in a movie. But it was as
real as ever. We had smashed into the end of semi traveling past us.
The truck spun in a circle, tires squealing and smoke swirling. It
was over before I could blink. My dad got out and pulled the truck to
a nearby gas station, as the semi did the same. My body was in shock,
and I couldn’t get a word out. I was sobbing uncontrollably. There
was not a scratch on us, but if I had pulled out further, the end of
the semi would have gone through the windshield and killed us. From
that moment further my whole mindset on driving (and life) changed.
All it takes is a silly little mistake to end you or your loved ones
lives. That experience was traumatizing, but also significant. It
took a near death experience, due to my own carelessness, to truly
understand the importance of education when driving. When getting
behind the wheel, you MUST be fully focused, with your number one
priority being the road and operating the vehicle in a safe manner.
There is no taking a quick glance at your cell phone, fidgeting with
the radio, or simplifying not looking twice. To be fully conscious of
every little action is dire because your life, as well as others all
around you lives’ depend on it.