Every Second Counts

Essay Short Description: Have you ever been in an accident and realized that every second counts? Read to find out about my car accident experience in drivers ed. and the ideas I have to make roads more safe.

I remember like it was yesterday, Monday, September 6, 2021. I was elated because it was my final drive in Driver’s Ed and I would finally be able to get my Level 1 License. My instructor told me to put on my right blinker and slowly brake, which I did, but as I began to turn the corner, “BANG!” A distracted driver rear-ended me! Yes – rear-ended me while I was in the well-marked “student driver” car. We pulled into a nearby parking lot and the irate driver got out of his car to approach ours. My instructor reassured me that it wasn’t my fault and proceeded to get out of the car to address the driver. I zoned out at that point. My body was shaking with fear, anxiety, and maybe even a little anger. “What were you thinking, sir?” “Did you not see the blinker and the car with huge student driver markings all over it?” “What were you doing? This could have been so much worse!” “Don’t you know, every second counts?” I reflected and was grateful that this was the one drive when no one else was in the backseat.

I could not believe we were just one street over from where my mother excitedly awaited my return. When 10 minutes passed by, my mother started to intentionally look around hoping I’d turn into the pick up lot. She felt in her heart something was wrong. So as she began to pull out of the driveway, she noticed the car I was driving one street over and drove to my rescue. As my mother pulled in, my instructor asked if I wanted to sit with my mom and though I calmly said yes, on the inside I was screaming “I want my mommy!” You see, that was literally my sixth time driving and my very first accident ever. My knees were wobbly and my body was shaking. I got in the car and my mom asked if I was okay. I told her no and began to weep. The police came and reassured me, again, that the other driver was definitely at fault and then issued him a ticket. My mother told me she wanted to give that driver a piece of her mind, but knew she had to set a good example of how to behave in this kind of situation.

I wondered if that man, who was at fault, yet still was frustrated that “his holiday was now ruined” knew how his impatient, distracted driving had a negative impact on me. That was extremely irresponsible of him and I wish he knew how his actions impacted me emotionally, mentally. To this day, I am trying to get over the fear of driving. I still have not obtained my full license and am now 18. On one hand, it showed me how important it is not to have any distractions around you – whether it is the phone, earbuds, favorite music, thoughts, etc. You really have to be tuned into what is going on around you because so much can change in a split second. Every second counts.

You see, a few years earlier, my mom along with my little brother who was in the back seat, were stopped at a red light. She said she was talking to my grandfather hands-free through the car and had just mentioned where she was when “BAM”! She was rear-ended so hard that her car spun into the intersection and was headed toward a pole at the corner near a gas station, but her car stopped on its own. She says her guardian angels were with them that day because they both had whiplash, but walked away unscaithed! The truth is the result of the accident could have been fatal, and again it was due to distracted driving. People really don’t understand that every second counts. The man in the other truck said the light was green so he kept driving, but bent down to reach for his phone and when he looked up – our car was stopped and the light was red, but there was nothing he could do. My mom says he was driving too fast and this is a prime example of how something can happen in a split second. He had so many opportunities to pull over – heck had he slowed down he could have pulled over into the gas station that he was approaching to grab his phone.

I think after people take their written driver’s test, they should watch a compilation video of people who have been negatively impacted by distracted driving like the kind that really evokes emotion. I also think driver’s should have to sign a “Every Second Counts” compact (almost like parents and students have to in school) where they promise to do or not do certain actions – like hold their phone while driving, have items needed secure before pulling off, allowing a few extra minutes to get to important places, and exercising a great amount of patience when driving near or around beginning drivers. Maybe they should have labels on their cars as well. My mom just keeps the sticker on since both my younger brother and I are still learning to drive. I also believe drivers who hit marked driving school cars should suffer greater consequences whether in points, fines, written letters of apology, or a combination of both. In my opinion, there is no reason why that should have happened. These are just a few ideas I have to keep everyone more safe while driving on the road and helping the driving community understand that literally every second counts.