Are you going on a road trip this summer for a vacation? Have you ever noticed crosses and memorials flowers at the intersection or wherever there was a car accident?

This not only a vacation blog but also a memorial blog for those who had been killed in an accident on the road.

There are 3 wooden crosses on the right side of the highway. Why there’s not 4 of them, heaven only knows.

Have you ever been in a car accident and survived? Have you ever witnessed a car accident or seen the after effects of one?

Few years ago, I was in a car accident coming down from Mount Rainier. I was with my cousin, Rosie and we were coming down from Mount Rainier when we happened to be following another car. We ended up hitting it because we wasn’t able to stop in time. What saved me was the fact that I had a seatbelt on and the airbag. I also believed my mother’s spirit also saved me. You see, my mother had passed away beginning of that year. I believed that my mother’s spirit put out her arms in front of me like she would do when she was alive; as if to tell me, your time has not come. When you look at the car, my side had more damage. So it was a miracle that I had survived.

I was on summer vacation visiting relatives out West in Washington State at the time. My cousin, Rosie was driving and was stuck behind the wheel and they had to pry her out and take her by ambulance to the hospital. The medic checked me out to make sure I was ok and they told me to just sit and relax just in case there was any real damage. The next day, her daughter, was concerned that I was alright.

I was a statistic of those involved in a car accident; but I survived by a miracle. Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 20-30% of those accidents result in serious injury or death, leaving 70-80% as “non-fatal” accidents.

When I was in the car accident, they checked my neck and to see if I had a concussion.

I also remembered when I was a child when my one step-brother was hit by a car while on his bike in West Fargo. Luckily he survived but was rushed to the hospital for his injury. He was riding his bike when he was hit from behind.

Then there was a time that my nephew was hit by a car running across the street playing. It was a wedding reception and the grownups were drinking while us kids were left to our own devices. I wasn’t much older and was watching over him. Luckily, he survived as well. Soon afterwards, the City of West Fargo put a stop sign at that corner; but it took years and many accidents and maybe even from some deaths before that happened.

We were the lucky ones; but there are some who are not so lucky. The statistic of those killed in a car accident is as followed. There were 40,901 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2023. This corresponds to 12.2 deaths per 100, 000 people and 1.26 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.

Because of those deaths, some people would put memorial flowers and crosses where the accident happened to remembered those who lost their lives.

The cross symbolized recalling the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was crucified and hung on a cross between 2 criminals. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Before he died, he spoke, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” That’s one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

So whenever we see the cross we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us for the forgiveness of sins.

The old rugged cross, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it for a crown. This was my grandmother’s favorite song.

Whenever you see a cross or flowers on the road, remembered those who may have lost their lives due to a car accident.

While you are out traveling on a road trip this summer or any other times, drive careful, wear your seatbelt and stay off the cell phone-no texting or talking. Keep your eyes focus on the road. Pay attention to others while on the road to avoid getting into an accident. I’m glad that I had survived to tell others about it.