A New Respect For Guardrails

Here in Utah, we have a fifth season known as "Sprinter". "Sprinter" occurs when we have January type snowstorms in the middle of Spring. One day the sun will be smiling upon us at a nice 70 degrees, and the next day six inches of snow will fall. For the twenty years I have lived in Utah, the snow and "Sprinter" have never really bothered me...until this year. This is the first year I have needed to commute up an unsafe canyon three times a week. I have always had a fear of sliding and crashing in the snow, and already experienced a scary situation a few months back where I did two 360's avoiding a deer in my way. The strange thing is that two days ago the crash I feared actually happened, but I was not alone. Steve and the kids were with me.

My Mom and Step-father have been out to visit from California. They decided to stay in Park City for a change of pace, and we were not thinking that "Sprinter" would be rearing it's ugly head in the middle of April. Our family was planning on staying with my Mom in Park City for a few nights since the kids were on Spring break, and some work was being completed on our floors. The plan was that we would drive up the canyon to Park City, and then I would already be near work for that night. By the time we woke up, snow was falling pretty hard. We were trying to make Park City by 2 pm, but had to readjust the time due to errands. As we were headed down University Avenue(which turns into the canyon road), I started to have a bad feeling. The huge SUV that was rolled over at the mouth of the canyon did not console me. I told Steve that maybe I should drive, since I drive the canyon often and was use to it in snowy conditions. We thought about it for a second, but did not pull over to switch seats. We were traveling at about 40 mph with the 4 wheel drive on. The left lane was full of snow and not cleared, so Steve decided to move to the right lane. I was leaning forward in the front seat to get my Zune for Christopher to listen to. At that moment we slid...

On our right side was a guardrail, which separates the road from a drop-off to the Provo River. Our SUV spun 90 degrees and slammed into the guardrail. We proceeded to bounce off the guardrail, spin some more and hit the guardrail again. The SUV then tipped part way and managed to land on all four tires again. As Steve corrected the vehicle, we barely missed a car coming at us from behind. I thought for sure we were going over the drop-off. It was only a few seconds, but it was terrifying. The police, paramedics and firemen arrived to evaluate us. Christopher and I were checked by a doctor for concussions, because we both slammed our heads on the window. I have also been treated for a fracture to my right elbow and have been quite sore all over. I think I received most of the injury, because I was leaning forward and the seat belt did not lock properly. Steve and Kennedy walked away relatively unharmed. The SUV is a different story. It left the scene on a tow truck with a strong chance of being declared totalled.

I feel that God has a hand in all things, and there must be a reason this occurred, although I may never know why. I do know we have learned a few things from the accident. I need to pay more attention to the small voice in my head when Heavenly Father is trying to give me direction. I believe that if I had listened to that voice, we may not have ended up without a car, and I would have two working arms. Also, the force of the hit going only forty miles an hour was tremendous. I can't imagine crashing at 55 or 65 miles an hour. So, in the future I will be more aware of the safety aspect of driving. Finally, I am grateful that we always abide by the seat belt and car seat laws, because it would have been a whole different ending if we didn't. Although this is something I would never want to experience again, I believe we are truly blessed because we made it out alive.