1.25 million minus 1

2015.

Summer.

I
was on a field trip with my summer camp. We were going to the movies
to see Tommorowland.

We
traveled in white vans that belonged to the camp. It was a hot summer
day so we had the windows down. As expected of twelve year olds, we
talked and laughed loudly. The person driving the van was our
counselor Frank. Frank turned up the radio which was playing B96- a
popular radio station in my city. Song after song was a hit and we
all sang along obnoxiously.

That
trip was soon ruined by a bee flying in through the open window of
the van and rested on Frank’s shoulder. Had nobody said a word,
Frank would never have noticed the bee on his shoulder and he
wouldn’t have freaked out. Unfortunately that didn’t happen and
as he swerved to get the bee off of him, we were hit on the right
side by a pickup truck.

Everything
happened so quickly. I remember everyone flying around the car and
colliding with people. Although it couldn’t have lasted more than a
few seconds it was the scariest experience of my life. Luckily I came
out fine but others didn’t. One girl, Darcy, who had the most
warming smile ever had four of her front teeth knocked out. Another
boy, Victor, broke his arm. Others suffered concussions including
Frank. I called my Mom to come pick me up. I was still able to go to
camp but my parents did not allow me to go on field trips with them
for the rest of the summer.

A
few years later when I began drivers ed, I was afraid to drive
because of that memory. But taking drivers ed was one of the most
beneficial things that I could’ve done for myself. Not only did I
learn all the signs and rules of the roads but I was provided with
actual driving experience via range and traffic school. In addition,
Drivers Ed taught me valuable statistics and facts. Who knew that
teenagers had the highest risk of dying in car accidents?

When
I got my license last year, I knew I had to set some mental rules to
keep me and anyone riding with me safe. I will always wear a seatbelt
when driving. I will not use my phone behind the wheel. I will not
drive when I am tired. I will obey the speed limit. I will give
pedestrians the right of way. I will not drive distracted. Do not
assume that other drivers know what you are doing.

It’s
simple things like reinforcing these rules that can help us become
safer drivers. I’m not perfect and sometimes I do want to go over
the speed limit to get to school on time or respond to a text from my
girlfriend. But for the most part rules are rules. I don’t want to
be another statistic and hopefully you don’t want to be one either.