Friday, August 30, 1996

This day forever changed my life. It was the day two of my favorite people passed away in a car accident that could have been prevented.
This is not going to be an "I'm sad. My life sucks." post. I am sad sometimes. That will never go away. My life doesn't suck, though. I have a husband and three beautiful kids that love me and I love them, and I just got promoted at my job.

This is just a warning post.

Seventeen years ago today, my mom, her friend, and my brother decided that they would drive through the night to go to visit my aunt rather than their original plan to leave the next morning after they got some sleep. My mom and brother died because the driver of the car (who lived) fell asleep at the wheel and ALMOST got the car back on the highway when she realized what had happened. She hit a guardrail. My brother, who was asleep in the backseat without a seat belt on, was thrown out the back window. My mom, who was asleep in the front passenger seat with a seat belt on, was crushed. They both died instantly. 
So may people leave late at night or in the extremely early hours of the morning to go on trips, especially people with kids who want them to sleep through the long car ride because "it is so much easier and quieter that way." I am a parent and understand how this would sound better, but it is not. How would these people feel if they fell asleep at the wheel and it cause harm to one of those precious creatures that would need to be entertained if they would have just waited until morning to leave.
I have heard people laugh and joke about the times they have started to fall asleep at the wheel. It is not funny. It is not a joke. Real people have been hurt in accidents caused by people either falling asleep at the wheel or almost falling asleep at the wheel.
PLEASE, sleep before you drive!