Tell Us Your Story!
Delaware is committed to educating our teens on safe driving habits. This web page will provide testimonials from the teen driving community to share their stories and opinions on the do's and don'ts of safe driving.
Written Stories
Stories From The Road
Virginia R., Bear
"We have been touched by the results of drinking and driving. My oldest stepson and his best friend were killed in 1986 due to their drinking. My stepson was driving and his alcohol levels were way over the legal limit. A brother-in-law of ours, who was Chief of Police in Gibbstown, NJ at the time, commented he didn't know how Billy was even able to get behind the wheel. Though this happened just over the bridge in NJ they were rushed to CCHS where they both died. A parent's worse nightmare; the call in the middle of the night. To this day the lifeless look in Billy's eyes still haunts me. He was 19 years old. While teens today see the accident films in high school like we do and adults know the dangers of drinking and driving, nothing hits home more than the reality of viewing a loved one's body before the coroner has seen it and as it has been brought in. We still feel the sadness every Christmas when we put flowers on Billy's grave. It is a heartbreak that never goes away."
Stories From The Road
Faith, Age 17
"My story begins just as I was heading to work. It was about eleven thirty in the morning and I knew I was running late to get to work. I was heading out of my apartment parking lot in my sister's 1996 Nissan Maxima. Now upon leaving the parking lot, I looked both ways quickly. I only worked a couple blocks away, so I have become accustomed to this exit in the parking lot where I would have to cross one lane to get to the opposite lane. Now looking right, towards an intersection to make sure no cars would not be turning down this road, I pull out the car to go left. A white pick up was heading up the street, and I looked to the left as I began to cross the road, I see the white pick up, and he swerves trying to avoid to hit me. I slammed the brake on and as I saw him about to pass, in panic, I took my foot off the brake and hit the gas. That is when I hit him on his truck's right side. I felt so stupid about what I did. The whole disaster was my fault. Needless to say the truck was left with a damaged fender and passenger door, while my sister's car's left headlight was pushed in and the trunk was slightly raised. My sister was not happy. I had to go to court where I pleaded guilty, and I knew there were consequences. My insurance was raised from a nice seventy dollars to a hundred thirty. It took me a while to use that same exit, I was using a different one, but a month or so after the accident I began to use it again. Needless to say I look left, right, left, right, left, right, before I pull out. I do not want to go through that whole experience again. The accident occurred a little time after I was off my second six months and my license became a Drivers License not a permit. I feel every teenage driver needs not to get too comfortable while driving, and think they know it all while in the Driver's seat, because the fact is, they don't. And one day they could get hurt or hurt an innocent person with their vehicle because of such thinking. I know I have learned my lesson but I know I still have things to learn and work on as I get older and driving is always a learning experience."
Stories From The Road
Becky, Age 15
"It was a hot sunny day in June; I remember it like it was yesterday. I was with my friend who was older. We spent the afternoon cruising around in my friend's black Honda civic. We came to a stop at a light; next to us was another teenager in a brand new mustang. He kept looking over and was teasing his engine. I'm not sure what was going through her head, but when the light turned green, my friend sped off like a bolt of lightning. As our speed increased, I felt my muscles cringe in fear. At that instant I should have spoken up. We reached a dangerous speed; practically racing down a four lane highway. Being her passenger, I just figured she was responsible enough to drive me around. She failed to realize her actions became dangerous as we approached a right turn. The young man made it around the bend safe and sound. Instead of going around the corner, her car couldn't handle it. Her tire went up on the median forcing her car to go out of control. Almost instantly, we headed towards a car stopped at a red light, in the opposite traffic lane. As we approached the vehicle so many thoughts were going through my head. "Am I going to die?" I asked myself. We crashed almost head on into a car full of people. BOOM! The air bags went off, knocking out the windshield. Speed was so intense after striking the vehicle, the car bounced in a backward motion. Luckily I fastened my seat belt and it saved my life that day. I could have been ejected out of the vehicle or suffered from horrible injuries. Instead no one was seriously hurt. We all walked away with few minor injuries. I was relieved we were all going to be okay. After this accident, I haven't hung out with this girl. She put both of our lives in danger. So next time think twice; trust your driver, wear your seatbelt and be safe."
