My Journey with Cars: From Leaning to Drive to Overcoming Bad Luck
Driving can be a daunting task, especially when you have a history riddled with accidents and mishaps. I, much like many others, embarked on this journey with a mix of excitement and trepidation at the age of 16 with my very first car.
My First Car: An 1987 Ford Taurus Station Wagon
My tale begins with a 1987 Ford Taurus station wagon. Acquiring it at the hefty price of $200, it was both a dream come true and a financial burden. Tragically, my first week with this vehicle saw it rolling into a ditch due to slippery, slushy roads. Not only that, but the seat belt failed in the accident, leaving me to question how my life could have been different with a working safety feature.
Adventures with a 1992 Cherokee
Following the Taurus, a 1992 Cherokee was my next venture. However, my second chance at driving didn’t last long as an old lady T-boned me after I had been driving that car for about a year. It’s ironic how the vehicles I chose often seemed to meet their demise at the hands of age, accident, or my own incompetence.
Auto Mishaps Galore
Continuing down the list of vehicles, I briefly owned a Ford Fairmont. After only a few weeks of driving, its engine caught fire. Its unique history with the Ford family only added to the heartache. Following a 2000 Dodge Neon, I experienced yet another accident where I rolled the vehicle down a hill while driving up, swerving to avoid a truck coming down the opposite side. Both the road and the truck played a role in the tragic sequence of events that led to the car’s total loss.
A Chevy Silverado and Tragedies
Moving on to my first truck, a Chevy Silverado, my work schedule of 14-hour shifts did not align well with safe driving practices. One morning, I fell asleep behind the wheel and managed to total this vehicle by parking it in a tree. What was amusing (though certainly not in a good way) was that the tree held the Silverado up long enough for me to awaken and exit the vehicle unscathed. However, my actions resulted in losing my license for the rest of the year due to the accumulation of 13 points on my driving record.
A Fresh Start with a 2006 Dodge Intrepid
Seeking a fresh start, I purchased a 2006 Dodge Intrepid, only for it to meet its end at the wheels of a teenager in a church parking lot, becoming yet another totaled vehicle.
Reflections and Learning to Drive Well
With every accident, every totaled vehicle, and every setback, I was learning to drive better and more responsibly. Despite my challenges, I did manage to learn - albeit a slow and painful process - to become a better driver. However, it’s overshadowed by the constant reminders of my accidents that now litter my history.
The real issue, however, was my inability to drive a manual transmission. I've tried time and time again, but the newer automatics offer more benefits in terms of fuel efficiency. Manual transmission cars, which were once powerful and essential, now seem like relics from the past.
Through my personal journey, I've come to appreciate the advancements in vehicle technology and the importance of maintaining safety while driving. It’s a stark reminder that while I can learn to drive well, the universe often has other plans for us, filled with unexpected twists and turns.