The wheel to live
December 19, 2002 | 12:00am
We have heard, and all too of-ten, of driving accidents involving young people. When we hear that someone was in an accident, we are nonchalant about it. I myself tend to ignore reminders to drive carefully and defensively. It’s something you hear all the time so it goes in one ear and out the other.
We were on our last day in Madrid, Spain, when my mom and I found out that my cousin was in a serious car accident. I’m not angry with my cousin; I’m angry at the situation. If only he had been more careful, or drove defensively. I only wish that by the time this piece is out, my cousin would be OK.
I cannot count how many times I’ve heard of people being in bad car accidents. I always brush it aside because it didn’t happen to anyone I knew. It’s a different ballgame when somebody close to you is involved. Then it’s not that easy to ignore.
While at the airport in Madrid waiting for our flight back home, I was quietly listening to my mom and her friend talk about what happened to my cousin.
My mom is not in favor of giving young people access to a car because it gives them power. Power, which they may not be able to control simply because they’re young. Power can be intoxicating at times and could have tragic consequences.
Sure, it’s easy to brag that you have the prowess of an F1 driver and you have a cool car to show it off. But our roads aren’t made for racing. So no matter how cool your car is, one wrong move, and you’re at the mercy of the laws of physics.
Your car will end up like a smashed can of sardines. I agree and disagree with my mom on this. I know a lot of responsible people out there, though young, are mature enough to make the right decision in cases such as this.
When we arrived home, we had a quick shower and drove straight to the hospital. My cousin was still in the ICU. I have this phobia about ICUs (who doesn’t?). I wouldn’t want to visit any of my loved ones in the ICU, not for a long time, anyway.
My cousin’s face was wrapped in bandages. He could not walk or talk and a respirator sustained him. (Thank goodness, he was already talking by the time I finished this piece.) Thinking about his condition, I can’t help but get teary-eyed. I won’t tell you about the ordeal he went through because this is information I’d rather forget. Besides, you really wouldn’t want to know.
He’s the second eldest after me on my mother’s side, so you might say we grew up together. We’re not really that close, but since we’re cousins, I can’t help but feel affected by what happened to him.
Now every time I see young drivers zooming in their cars down the road, I get a mental flash of my cousin in his ICU bed. Telling young people to drive carefully and defensively especially at night is not just a reminder, it is an act of kindness.
Sure you’re the best driver in the world, but once you’re behind that wheel, remind yourself that at the end of the day, you need to get home alive and safe. There are people called parents worrying about you. If you can’t drive, for one reason or the other, there’s no harm in asking a friend to drive for you.
This is not one of those do this or don’t do that pieces. This are just thoughts I wanted to share. If you learned a thing or two from this piece, well and good. If not, if you’re the stubborn, bratty and spoiled type, who doesn’t listen to anyone, well, tough luck.
Email the author at ketsupluis@hotmail.com
We were on our last day in Madrid, Spain, when my mom and I found out that my cousin was in a serious car accident. I’m not angry with my cousin; I’m angry at the situation. If only he had been more careful, or drove defensively. I only wish that by the time this piece is out, my cousin would be OK.
I cannot count how many times I’ve heard of people being in bad car accidents. I always brush it aside because it didn’t happen to anyone I knew. It’s a different ballgame when somebody close to you is involved. Then it’s not that easy to ignore.
While at the airport in Madrid waiting for our flight back home, I was quietly listening to my mom and her friend talk about what happened to my cousin.
My mom is not in favor of giving young people access to a car because it gives them power. Power, which they may not be able to control simply because they’re young. Power can be intoxicating at times and could have tragic consequences.
Sure, it’s easy to brag that you have the prowess of an F1 driver and you have a cool car to show it off. But our roads aren’t made for racing. So no matter how cool your car is, one wrong move, and you’re at the mercy of the laws of physics.
Your car will end up like a smashed can of sardines. I agree and disagree with my mom on this. I know a lot of responsible people out there, though young, are mature enough to make the right decision in cases such as this.
When we arrived home, we had a quick shower and drove straight to the hospital. My cousin was still in the ICU. I have this phobia about ICUs (who doesn’t?). I wouldn’t want to visit any of my loved ones in the ICU, not for a long time, anyway.
My cousin’s face was wrapped in bandages. He could not walk or talk and a respirator sustained him. (Thank goodness, he was already talking by the time I finished this piece.) Thinking about his condition, I can’t help but get teary-eyed. I won’t tell you about the ordeal he went through because this is information I’d rather forget. Besides, you really wouldn’t want to know.
He’s the second eldest after me on my mother’s side, so you might say we grew up together. We’re not really that close, but since we’re cousins, I can’t help but feel affected by what happened to him.
Now every time I see young drivers zooming in their cars down the road, I get a mental flash of my cousin in his ICU bed. Telling young people to drive carefully and defensively especially at night is not just a reminder, it is an act of kindness.
Sure you’re the best driver in the world, but once you’re behind that wheel, remind yourself that at the end of the day, you need to get home alive and safe. There are people called parents worrying about you. If you can’t drive, for one reason or the other, there’s no harm in asking a friend to drive for you.
This is not one of those do this or don’t do that pieces. This are just thoughts I wanted to share. If you learned a thing or two from this piece, well and good. If not, if you’re the stubborn, bratty and spoiled type, who doesn’t listen to anyone, well, tough luck.
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