It was a normal night on August 15, 2012. I was sitting in the back of my father's car enjoying the view of the stars peeking through my window, stars that faded away due to the speed at which we were moving. Dad always said we were in a movie, and that he was going to beat the other drivers, like in . I took it in stride, since it was routine, but every time I looked at the passenger seat, I could see my mother's terrified face, clinging to the car as if she were afraid something would tear her away from it. Dad grabbed a can of beer, and as the adrenaline coursed through his body, the car picked up speed. My mother's face looked and more dazed, and that's when I felt that something was wrong, unlike the other times. And then, five minutes later, A tree hit the front of the car, and all I could hear were the heart-wrenching screams.

After that, I had to accompany my dad to a series of traffic school courses as punishment for his irresponsible actions. I sat in a chair in that classroom terrified at the idea of hearing anything related to cars again. But it was at that moment that I understood what it meant to be responsible when sitting behind the wheel. These organizations did more than just teach rules; they shaped how people think about driving. They showed videos, testimonials, crash simulations, and statistics that demonstrated the consequences of driving under the influence. This helped me internalize the danger, not just memorize facts. It helped me understand how alcohol, drugs, and distractions affect reaction time and judgment when driving, something that happened to my dad that night. Many people, today, are not aware of the consequences their actions can have, how they are putting people's lives at risk, especially if you are driving with passengers.

As I grew up, I wasn't aware of the impact this experience had on me. But, every time I got into a car, and it picked up speed, I could feel the fear of that night invade my body. One day when I was leaving a meeting with my friends. One of them was going to drop me off at my house, and I made the mistake of not making sure he was in the right condition to drive. So, I sat with him in the front seat. As we were driving down the highway, I was lost in my thoughts, looking out the window. when I noticed that the stars were fading, my heart began to beat, my hands began to sweat, I turned to look at my friend, to ask him if he could slow down, but he started laughing and telling me that everything was fine, and to enjoy the ride while holding a beer. I began to feel my chest tighten and my breathing become labored. I was experiencing a panic attack due to traumatic experiences. Approximately survivors of car accidents develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and studies indicate that about 15% develop lasting anxiety disorders, similar or slightly lower percentages experience clinically significant depression after the crash.

Fortunately, I made it home safely that night. The next day, I decided I had to talk to my friend about what had happened. Often, people don't realize the responsibility they are taking on when they drive. They are not aware of the physical or mental damage they can cause to another person. They think of it as fun. and although in many cases nothing may happen, it should not be taken lightly. Drivers often feel “fine” or believe they are in control, especially after only “one or two drinks,” even though their judgment is already affected. Experienced drivers sometimes believe they are “good enough” to handle driving even when tired or after drinking a little, so they underestimate the risk. 

These experiences completely changed my perspective on the responsibility that a person has behind the wheel, and how important it is to be aware of the damage we can cause to another person. The most powerful thing I can do is speak up when something doesn’t feel safe whether that means refusing a ride from someone who has been drinking, offering to call a sober driver, or taking someone’s keys before they make a dangerous decision. By doing this, I protect not only myself but also everyone on the road. Every time I see these actions repeated in my social circle, I tell them all these stories so that they are aware of the damage they can cause and the maturity and responsibility they must assume when driving, so that they don't think, like my father, that they are in a movie and that nothing will happen.