I never arrived at the realization of how important seat belts are until I was personally affected. I know that my life and the lives of my family and friends matter. Wearing a seatbelt is such an easy task, it is a shame not to do it. Tragedy and fatality can be prevented in one simple motion, wearing a seatbelt. These mechanisms are designed to protect because no one is invincible. I always remember that wherever I am going, someone will be happy to see me get there alive. I use this as a reminder every time I think, “It is only a five minute drive, I will be fine.”

Every time I got into a car with my father following his accident, he would put his seatbelt on then look to my sisters and I to make sure that we were sporting them what he would call, “the right way”. He never got in a car without wearing a seatbelt again. He knew that while his seatbelt did not salvage his job, it was the reason he was still alive. I live my life under the belief that seat belts save lives. They are the reason my father has his. I learned from his accident to never take anything for granted because nothing in this life is guaranteed.

This accident impacted me in ways I was unaware of until I composed this essay. I think about it every time I get in the car and pull the seatbelt across my body. I never allow my self to think, “It’s not that far up the road, is a seatbelt really necessary?” Putting your seatbelt on takes less than a second, the amount of time in which my life can be saved. Seat belts are a part of our world that I absolutely take for granted.

The first time I went to the movies without my parents was August of 2006. My sisters and I went to see Step Up at the Apple Valley Cinema. I was as excited for this day as a little kid on Christmas. When the movie was over, we exited the cinema and began to hunt for our mom’s car. Once I found it, I traipsed over and climbed into the middle of the back seat, sad that it was over. My focus was straight ahead at the Subway next to the theater. This was all I could see as I listened to my mother mutter the words, “Girls, there’s been an accident” seemingly in slow motion.

My father had been a detective with the Johnston Police Department for twenty-five years. He was headed to New York with his parter following a case that originated in Johnston. His partner, Albert, drove them. The day of the trip had finally arrived and my father decided that for a portion of the ride, he was going to recline his seat back and take a nap. As he was doing this, he looked at Albert with a puzzled look on his face because he was putting his seatbelt on. Once Albert caught my father’s glance, he defiantly said the words, “just in case”. My dad thought this was weird so he buckled up too. Everything was going fine until they were driving through Connecticut and got stuck behind a truck headed to an art show whose painting were not secure. The paintings began fleeting off of the back of the truck and covered the windshield, causing Albert to have to swerve, resulting in them ending up in a ditch on the side of the highway.

I remember waking up the next morning and immediately rushing to my parents room to see if my dad was home yet. Instead of him in the bed, I saw the contents of his suitcase, sprawled out everywhere. I distinctly remember that he had packed a bathing suit. To this day whenever I think about that, I feel a tinge of sorrow. Clearly he was planning on relaxing a little too, he just never got the chance. After staring at his belongings, I scurried downstairs to see him sitting at his usual spot at the kitchen table. He didn't look too hurt, just a little rigid and bruised. It was not until I walked around his right side that I saw the gash on his neck created by the seatbelt that saved his life. What if he had not worn a seat belt that day? What if he had taken a nap as planned?