The Power of the Protection and Service

Getting me to learn how to drive was HARD. I have had anxiety for a couple years and the idea of learning how to drive made my heart race and palms sweat. I got my permit at the age of 15 and didn’t actively start driving until I was half way through my 16th year. Needless to say, I did everything I could to prevent an accident. When I was first learning how to drive my father gave me an example that has still stuck with me. While driving home on the highway he was talking about distracted driving and how much road you can travel in the matter of a few seconds. We instructed me to count to 10 after passing a designated road sign and notice how far we had moved during that time. I counted to 10 and was shocked at how far we had gotten. He then compared the 10 seconds to the amount of time it might take you to read a text, change a song, or take a photo and just how much you could miss while you aren’t looking. The image of the cars flying by, the amount of lane changes, and changing of speed reminds me that everything can change in a matter of seconds and in the most extreme circumstance, take my life.

Following reading the prompt for this essay I considered my own driving habits. To be completely honest, I didn’t really think there were that many things that I needed to change to not be distracted. I put my phone in the glove box, I listen to a podcast, not loud music, and I don’t eat and drive. However, the area of weakness that I have found in my own habits is at stop lights. I tend to get on my phone quickly to check a text, look at social media or send a snapchat to a friend. I didn’t really find a problem with looking at my phone while in a stopped vehicle, but two memories came to mind that contradicted the previous belief.

When I was a Sophomore in High School, I was driving to school following my early morning religious education for drill team practice at 7am. We were stopped at a stop light at a major intersection waiting to turn left. I was in the passenger’s seat because I wasn’t old enough to drive yet and my mom was texting on her phone. As I was looking at the intersection a major crash occurred resulting in 3 totaled vehicles and EMS needing to be called. My mom and I immediately jumped out of our car as well as the members of the car next to us and went into problem solving mode. Shortly we realized that the members of the car next to us were a mother and her son. The mother was on her phone as well and the son was the other one who noticed the accident. When the police arrived the other people, who could give a reliable statement about what we witnessed were two teenagers who were not distracted at the light. The boy and I were able to help the people who were injured receive justice because we weren’t distracted. Years later, when I was driving myself, I had a very similar situation occur. I was sitting at a light when I witnessed another accident involving 3 vehicles. I was able to stop, inform police, and help those who had just been hit. It was such a powerful moment being able to serve those in need of service at a very vulnerable time in their lives. This would not have been the case if I was distracted by my phone.

Looking forward I need to reevaluate my priorities, my own safety, the safety of others, and the ability to serve others should always be before my phone. My plan from now on is to keep my phone in my glove box while at a light and not let down my guard, just because I am at a light. I know that if I remind myself of the things that mean the most to me, I can make this simple commitment that will benefit myself and those around me.