The Second After

The Second After

Music blaring, concentration is not on the road. A new tune comes on, it does not satisfy what you want to listen to. Racing alongside other cars, you pick up your phone just for one second. One second will not hurt. Right? Then comes the next second. The second where you are trying to figure out why you are stopped in the middle of the highway, where you should be going fast. Your head hurts, your brain is trying to comprehend why another car is so close. Then your memory hits you. There was a car in front of you; it slammed its brakes and you could not react fast enough. The disturbing sound of metal crashing into more metal will forever be etched into your brain, but not as much as the silence that follows it. Trembling, you try to get out of your car, away from the destruction. In relief, you make it out. Sitting on the grass, you realize the person in front of you is not getting out of their car. Why are they still in there? Is everything okay?

If only you had not picked up your phone. If only you obeyed the rules of the road, everything might have still been fine. The mom of four in front of you could be serving dinner for her family instead of laying underground. The education of yourself and your peers comes after this situation. The startling statistics explain to you that this accident was not one of few to happen this year, but instead one of 1.35 million. Shock stabs into your heart; how have you never heard of this before? This topic does not have enough awareness.

Most people learn to drive; it happens to be a skill that is fairly common. The importance of keeping an everyday activity safe is very high; it will save many lives. If more time is taken during instruction periods, students may understand the outcomes of not following the rules. Healthier habits can be formed by consistently reminding students of the statistics and showing them what they could do to stop it. A stress should be placed on the fact to always be aware of your surroundings—cars racing beside you, speeding in front of you, and zooming behind you. Other small details can have an emphasis placed on them like leaving your phone on “do not disturb” while driving and letting family members know that you are on the road.

Personally, I have been in a car accident, but it was not fatal. By luck, I happened to be sitting on the side of the car in the backseat where the other car had not t-boned us. Even if a car accident is not fatal, more awareness should be brought up to people driving this heavy machinery. This car accident happened many years ago but I still remember it like it was yesterday. The feeling of shock and utter silence will never be erased from my mind.

Thinking about all these situations that happen daily urge me to be the change. You should be the change too. Educate yourself and take many precautions while driving. A silly snapchat can wait. Take a picture of the sunset with your eyes; remember the moment. The speed limit is not a suggestion, it is a rule. Be considerate of others.