Red and blue flashing lights sped down the street. They were there to meet me. One September afternoon, I was driving my friend home from school. We were stopped at a red light on Williams Blvd. by a Shell gas station. The car in front of me started going when the light turned green, but slammed on their brakes, causing me to hit them. A flood of panic rushed through my body. I began to shake and cry because I did not know what to do. This was the first time I caused a car accident. Before this experience, I assumed I was a good driver and would never get in a car accident, yet my thoughts and perspective switched after the crash.

I realized it is bound to happen at some point in my life if I drive. Because I got in the accident, I not only affected myself, but my friend who was in the car with me, the people I hit, and my dad. My insurance would go up because I got in a wreck, even though there was little to no damage. There would also be tension between my dad and I because he told me not to drive my friend home from school because he was worried something would happen. I realized I am a very stubborn and hard headed person, so I ignored everything my dad said if it was not something I wanted to hear. Now I am more careful when I drive so I can avoid getting in another accident that I caused. The big thing I took away from this event and experience is to listen to my dad because he only wants what is best for me. Even though I might not like what he says sometimes, he is still my dad and I need to respect and obey him no matter what. The second thing I learned from this experience was I was being a very careless and reckless person. Not necessarily with my driving but in life. If I wanted to do something I would do it and no one could stop me. I had to realize I am only seventeen years old and still have a whole life ahead of me. I need to make the most of everything, but also be more careful in everything I do. I am so thankful the car accident was not bad and there was basically no damage.

There is a very large stereotype centered around teen drivers today. People assume if a teen drives and gets in a wreck it is due to texting; however, that is not always the case. Driving is a privilege and is something many people in society take for granted. Once people get comfortable driving, they become more careless. Many older people look down upon teen drivers because the elders have been driving longer, so they see themselves as superior to everyone else. Similarly, teen drivers look down upon younger people who cannot drive because driving signifies growing up. It also gives young people a sense of freedom.  Not many people in the US today use public transportation because there are so many cars and it is easier. Public transportation is used mostly by the lower class people because they cannot afford to buy a car and pay for gas. Bus systems are typically looked down upon by society because they are viewed as dirty because poor people take that route.

Finally, I learned a lot about myself and society through the entire experience of the car crash. It was not a scary situation that made me be more careful with my driving; it was an eye-opening experience about who I was as a person. I had an attitude switch towards life and everything I was experiencing. The people around me who supported me were the people who helped me realize who I am and what I need to do to better myself. I finally understood why society places stereotypes on teenagers and why driving is a necessity. Without driving, getting from place to place and socializing would be much more difficult. Cars and transportation have helped boost and further the economy.