Recently the east coast experienced a truly extraordinary snowstorm, which blanketed a number of major cities and left D.C. buried under 24-plus inches of snow. After a day and a half of steady snowfall, people all over the city were stuck in the house and unable to escape the relentless snow.

Being trapped in the house with two roommates for a week of impromptu snow days quickly went from exciting to boring to torturous. Food was running low; an impending power outage was headed our way; and we’d been sitting together in the same room, in the same pajamas, for what seemed like a month.

One of us had the bright idea to dig the car out and make a trip to the only place that might be open during a blizzard – the grocery store. Unfortunately our plans were quickly foiled after we realized we didn’t have a working shovel. So we took to gazing out the window at the unlucky drivers attempting to maneuver through the tundra that had once been our busy street.

Within 30 minutes, we witnessed two cars slide through a stop sign, a car get stuck in the snow and then a messy altercation following an unavoidable accident. I was instantly thankful that my roommates and I were stuck in the house dealing with cabin fever, and not a driving disaster. Lesson learned — in bad weather conditions, it is smarter (and safer) to avoid driving altogether.

Ryan

When’s the right time to drive alone? The day I got my license, I was sure my mother would hand over her car keys and turn me loose on the road. Why wouldn’t she? I had passed state-mandated written and performance tests, and I had undoubtedly proven to her (and more importantly the state) that I could drive. (more…)

It’s bright and early on a Monday morning. My friends and I rush to get ready and leave the house. One of my roommates wakes up late, someone else decides to take a longer than average shower in the wrong bathroom, and I can’t find my house keys – it never fails. (more…)

With the biggest grin I’d ever mustered, and the millisecond long flash of the camera, my life had become complete. It was my 16th birthday, and at that point, the happiest day of my life. I had just received my graduated driver’s license. That little piece of plastic featuring my dime-sized photo was much more than permission to drive without my mother’s presence. To me, it was the beginning of what I thought would be a very liberating and exciting life. (more…)

The holidays are officially over. Luckily, I still have a few weeks to relax and try my hardest to do absolutely nothing at all. (more…)

For this holiday season, there are three things I’d like to mention:

The first: Holiday traffic. It is absolutely nuts. Yes, I am mainly referring to my mall experiences, as I never have to make pilgrimages to visit family in nearby or far off states. Parking lot stalking is at its seasonal peak, jumping out in front of oncoming traffic is more popular than ever, and avoiding fender benders seems to take the backseat to glancing down at lists and checking things off. Just sayin’. (more…)

When I first saw the Safety Scholars contest online, my first idea was to make a video about the dangers of texting while driving. A few of my friends have gotten in minor crashes, simple fender benders while they were texting and driving, and I thought the accidents could’ve been way more serious. (more…)

About three years ago this month I was still in high school, like perhaps some of you are, and making decisions about college. Specifically, how to pay for it. It’s expensive, for sure. (more…)

The rules are pretty simple:

“If we EVER find out you were talking on your phone while driving we’re taking your car away.” (more…)