Speeding on a Curve

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Imagine you are driving out of town in a dark autumn night. There are no lights ahead of you. The only lights you see are the ones in the side view mirrors. You look into the rear view mirror and you see the headlights of a car that has been tailgating for the past quarter mile.

You feel the rush going through your body. Adrenaline starts to kick in. You hit the pedal to the floor because fear starts to take over. You panic. The speedometer goes from 35mph to 50, 60, 80. . . At this point, you’re so full of adrenaline. Your hands are sweating and the grip on the wheel is tighter than ever. You look at your passenger and he is literally holding on to his seat.

The speedometer keeps going up. 90, 100, and then you reach the maximum you can reach on a 97 Chevrolet Venture, 110mph. The car behind you is catching up. The pedal is as much as it goes and you just can’t seem to outrun the car. You are now full of a mix of fear, adrenaline, anxiety, worry and panic.

Right then and there you notice something interesting. The car behind you slows down. At the speed you’re going, it almost seems like it came to a stop. Your friend in the passenger’s seat keep yelling out, “Where gonna crash!”

You realize at this point there is a curve coming up. You were so caught up in the moment that you almost forgot about it. You let go of the gas and start slowing down. You pass a sign that shows a curved arrow and says ’35mph’. The speedometer is at about 80mph. You don’t want to slam the brakes because you don’t want to skid.

The curve is about 2 seconds away when you know there is no way you are going to make the curve. You take a chance anyway. You take that right as you try to take that turn. The tires start to skid and you lose control of the vehicle. Your hands on the wheel are so tight, that you don’t think of nothing else. The van flips on the driver’s side and it begins to roll out of the road.

Your eyes are closed and you feel every hit on the van as it keeps rolling. You are terrified, but somehow you find the strength to open your eyes. You look out the front window and all you see is the world spinning. You can only make out what’s being shined on by the headlights. Everything else is completely dark.

The van stops rolling; the passenger door is facing the sky. You look at your friend in the passenger and ask if he is ok. He says yes. You are fine. You don’t know if it’s the adrenaline inside you that not makes you feel any hits you might have taken. You both climb out of the van without a single scratch.

You’re going to be o.k.

Well that’s what happened to me and a friend of mine.

For me, experience is the best teacher. Now I now what it’s like to flip over a car. Would I do it again? Most definitely not.

I share this story with you because I think it’s interesting. I’m sure you have stories that you would like to share with the world. Ever thought about it? I knew I would have never even guessed I would be blogging daily, but here I am. Click on the banner to the right and see how you can get started. Believe in yourself and try something new for a change. Don’t be afraid to open your eyes while the world is spinning right in front of you. Take back control and take action!