Gen Zer Survives Car Crash—Realizes She'll Never Do These 5 Things Again

A video of a woman explaining five things she would never do whilst behind a steering wheel has gone viral on TikTok.Racking up 1.7 million views, Ambrelyn, 25, from Chicago, Illinois, urges others to take driving seriously."They were all things I have done or at least things I didn't think much about before the accident," she told Newsweek. "For example, I have sat with my legs crossed or on the dashboard when I was a passenger, I've worn claw clips while driving, I've had tools, pets, and other loose items improperly secured."Being in the accident was a reminder that things are out of your control."In September 2024, Ambrelyn was driving home down a busy road. She said: "The other driver ran a red turn arrow and turned directly in front of me, forcing me to T-bone them. Both cars were totaled as a result."I was extremely lucky to not have more serious injuries."Ambrelyn was left with severe bruising across her abdomen and breast because of the seatbelt. It took about three weeks for the bruises to fully heal back in September 2024."I also had a cut on my breast from the seatbelt—this is now a permanent scar which is still healing," she told.She went to three physical therapy appointments weekly until the end of March."While I still feel pain some days, I'm so happy to be having more days without pain than with it," she said. However, this isn't always the outcome for drivers involved in a collision.Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over 120 people each day, according to the CDC. Yet these tragedies are preventable.Ambrelyn told Newsweek that she has driven since the accident, but it took her around three weeks to feel comfortable in the car again.She said: "Now, I'm back to driving, although I try to drive as little as possible and try to avoid driving at night, on holidays, or any other time where others may be more reckless. I've also implemented various changes to how I drive and how I act in the car to help protect me should I get in another accident. These changes are what inspired me to make the video."Since you can't predict when something bad will happen, you should prepare to be in the best situation if and when they do."Crash Survivor Shares 5 Things She'll Never Do Again While DrivingOn April 25, Ambrelyn shared the following tips online, gathering over 202,000 likes. Never sit inappropriately - The Royal Automobile Club (RAC), a British organization, states drivers should sit high enough for a clear view, with hips level to or above your knees. Adjust seat, backrest, and steering wheel for comfort and control, ensuring full pedal reach and proper posture. Never wear anything that could cause injury in a crash - Avoid wearing claw clips, sharp accessories, or glasses that could shatter on impact. Skip seatbelt covers or cushions that can interfere with proper belt positioning. Ambrelyn warns: "The belt sliced my chest open—now I have a permanent scar. You never know when it will happen, so it's always better to be safe than sorry." Always secure children and pets properly - Ensure child seats are correctly installed and pets are safely restrained. Unsecured passengers or animals can become dangerous projectiles during a crash. Don't leave loose objects in the car - Keep tools, bags, water bottles, and other loose items secured. In a collision, even small objects can turn into high-speed hazards. Follow the rules of the road—and stay off your phone - Stick to speed limits, obey traffic signals, and never drive distracted. Put your phone away—no text or notification is worth your life. TikTok ReactsAs of now, the clip has over 1,500 comments."Impatience kills, not the slow drivers—IMPATIENCE kills," said one user and another pointed out: "It's terrifying how many people I see on their phones while driving."A third user shared: "My mentality when I drive is 'I'll get to my destination when I get there regardless how long it takes me' I'd rather drive safe and be late than rush and hurt someone."If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do? section.