It has come to my attention how much we take for granted driving. After being a very traumatic and serious wreck, I realized what a privilege it is to drive and what a lethal weapon a vehicle can be. I will probably always remember my accident and how it has change my view on driving.
Before getting in my Jeep and buckling my seat belt wasn't a big deal at all to me. Then I would turn up my music and hit the road for my destination. Whenever my phone would ring I wouldn't hesitate to open it up and began to gab on it. Talking on the phone and driving had become a mundane thing for me. Not only talking on the phone but texting had become something of the norm. A quike text here or there . Not just at stop signs or red lights but while driving.
Looking back now I can't believe how stupid I was to drive with such distractions. We think we are invisible , that oh that wouldn't happen to me. I can stop on command. Thats the thing we aren't THINKING. If we were we would know how dangerous these small distractions can make a big reaction.
On the afternoon on June 14th 2009, I left my moms house to go and visit my dad before I left for Lubbock. Not thinking a thing taking my usual route down Pate St. on to Pierce and headed eastbound (towards Hastings). While coming to the interecetion of Pecos Acres my light was all green so I looked down for a quick second to turn my radio station. In that quick second out of the Hastings parking lot, a Van pulled infront of me. I of course going 35mph couldn't just stop on a dime. I would of plung right into this woman. I did the only thing I could thing of drive to avoid t-boning her dead on. I held on tight and veard around her. About that time she realized she was in the intercetion and she pushed the gas and ended up t-boning me. In doing so, this cause my Jeep to flip on its side for about 15 ft. I was alert the whole time, in my mind all I could think about was my neck breaking and dieing. . My Jeep had flipped on it top and slid and additional 30-40ft. I had just watched Final Destination 2. If you have ever seen that you know the car wreck seen that is all that was running thru my head , get out of the car you are in on coming traffic. I didn't think I was going to make it out alive. Infact when the Jeep stopped and I was upside down. I just took a deep breathe and let myself loose from the seat belt. The impaction was so hard it knocked my shoes off, I was fumbling around trying to find them and my cell phone. I knew I wasn't going to be able to remember numbers I was too shaken up and full of aderiline.
Being out of the Jeep seeing it upside down made me so emotional. I didn't think I was going to survive. God was definality with me that day.
The majoratity of the impaction was on my passangers side. It should of crushed my side but didn't. I'm so very very lucky. Not only and I lucky but the lady that hit me was also lucky. If I hadn't of swurved I would of killed her. Yes I put my life at risk but I wouldn't of change what had happened . We both survived, I am so very happy with the outcome.
Of course I have had a long hall , severe aches and pains with my back and neck amongst other things. Even emotionally I have changed.
My Jeep which I loved was totalled, although it's just a materialistic thing I still miss him. I drove it for four years and had gotten use to ol Bruce :).
I now drive a car and although it's new and has all the nice things in a car a young person like me would love. It can be taken away tomorrow and replaced. My life however is much more percious and not replaceable.
Getting into my new car now is a previlage and a honor. Yes that may sound cheesy but it's the truth.
I get so upset driving these days. I look around and see people driving crazy , texting, talking on phones, doing make-up, and eating. Its really sad, that those things have become so important in our lives that we can actually be so consumed and change someones life forever.
Today infact a car honked at me because I didn't dart out in a hurry. What is the rush so you running 5 mins late , I would rather be late than dead. I wish everyone could realize how important it is to pay attention.
It really is life or death.
just for kicks take this quiz , you would be surprised what you have forgotten: http://moneycentral.msn.com/quiz/driving-skills-quiz/home.aspx
