Monty the Matrix

Throughout high school I awaited the day that I would be able to drive. I had saved up to fix my parents’ old 2003 Toyota Matrix that had been in an accident when I was only ten. I even added a bluetooth system to play music and charge my phone. Little did I know I would come to regret adding that bluetooth system. I loved my car so much and all my friends and I referred to it as Monty the Matrix. This was the car my dad drove to pick me up from the hospital when I was born and eventually the car I packed up and drove to move into my college dorm. As the first in my family to attend college, I was excited for what was to come. However, driving in a new area was a bit nerve wracking, especially needing to familiarize myself with frequently driving on the freeway, as this was something new to me. Almost all of my friends who drive have been in at least one car accident within their teenage years. Yet, I ensured that I stayed focused and vigilant when I drove anywhere. I became used to driving on the freeway as it was super close to my university and the fastest way to get anywhere. I was about a month into college, on my way to drive home to visit my family for the first time since I moved to college. It was a Thursday afternoon, traffic was high and everyone was at a complete stop on the freeway ramp. Seconds later I felt myself launch forward, my car physically moved because of the forceful impact of the car behind me rear ending my stopped car while going seventy miles. My bluetooth system flew out and hit my face, my windshield wipers came up, my back bumper was hanging off, and one of my taillights was shattered. At that moment I did not know what to do. I felt frozen from pain and shock. At some point I was able to pull over to the shoulder along with the car that had rear ended me. Oddly enough, it was a peer from my university. She was apologizing and asking if I was okay. I was honestly still in shock and honestly quite confused at how she did not notice the entire freeway was at a complete stop. That was when I simply asked her how this even happened in a disbelief tone. To no surprise, she admitted she had been texting on her phone and did not realize how fast she was entering the freeway. Unsafe driving took away my first car. Monty the Matrix was officially gone after its second car accident. The car accident took away everything I had worked for and all the memories made in the car that saw me as a newborn until I was a college student. I could not help but cry at that moment from the realization that my first car was completely gone, all because someone decided that texting a friend was more important than focusing on the road. Days later as I was still processing what had happened, I realized how lucky I was. Many times people do not survive car accidents. That is why safe driving is so important. Being in a car accident was a true eye opener to me. I realized how fast an accident can happen and have now become more aware of my surroundings when I drive. I have also educated my friends and family on the importance of safe driving and not using their phones while they drive. Phone usage while driving takes lives daily, which is truly saddening and should not be as common as it is. I have a few ideas to raise awareness about this issue and prevent this dangerous act. I feel that teenagers and young drivers in general should be educated more about the importance of safe driving. Young drivers are more likely to not understand the true dangers of distracted driving. Phones are one of the biggest distractions while driving and causes of distracted driving accidents. Technology is so advanced and I feel that implementing a tool that prevents phone usage while a car is in motion is possible to create. Social media apps could even add a tool that detects when a car is in motion and prohibits the usage of the app. Seminars and educational assemblies should be held at universities and high schools to educate students and spread awareness on the dangers of distracted driving and to educate students on deaths caused by car accidents. Sadly, people do not realize something is a real issue until it happens to themselves or someone they love.