While getting your driver’s license is often considered a rite of passage in the United States, many people forget the responsibilities that come with it. One of the primary reasons individuals seek a driver’s license is to allow them freedom to travel from one place to another, especially where public transportation is limited. However, it is important to remember the safety precautions that come with being “behind the wheel”. Carefully planning can help prevent common mistakes people make that can cause collisions. Impaired driving often causes a person to be at high risk of accidents. Alcohol, the use of drugs, fatigue and distractions are considered impaired driving and are dangerous because they interfere with a person’s reaction to the road. Impaired driving can be mistaken by most people because they underestimate how these factors restrict their abilities. Although most drivers take a course before obtaining a license, some classes do not fully cover the different types of impairment or how quickly they can affect driving. Many people assume that impaired driving only involves alcohol, but impairment comes from many factors that can affect a driver’s ability such as prescription medications, illnesses, and emotional stress. These are also impairments that can cause drowsiness and slow reflexes which are important to recognize that impairment is broader than just alcohol. 

Alcohol-impaired driving is considered the most common impaired driving for individuals today. Young adults between the ages of 21-34 are most frequently involved in alcohol-related collisions. Additionally, drug use, such as cannabis, is becoming a more common factor, often combining with alcohol to create even more dangerous situations. Alcohol affects driving by reducing coordination, making it harder to react to sudden movements. It also slows the brain, impairing the ability to process information and make sudden decisions. This is one of the reasons why drivers take risks and attempt dangerous maneuvers they would normally avoid sober. Alcohol can cause blurred vision and trouble focusing making it difficult to drive safely. These effects can lead to risky behaviors such as poor lane control as well as adrenaline that will lead to speeding.

In February 2019, I lost a very close friend and coworker, along with my godson, to a tragic combination of alcohol and drugs. They were both 18 years old and were driving home from a party. Although they had consumed only small amounts of alcohol and cannabis and believed they were fine to drive, their inexperience combined with impairment proved fatal. On a sharp curve, they apparently mistook the road for a straight path and drove directly into a lake without attempting to brake. I believe that speeding and impairment depth perception caused by alcohol contributed to this accident. Both boys drowned and were later found by close neighbors who reported a roaring sound around the lake. This experience profoundly changed my awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. Many people do not realize how even small amount of alcohol can affect the brain, but I have certainly changed the way I think about and plan for drinking. There are times when unexpected situations arise, but with so many reliable transportation options available, there is always a safer way to get home. 

I believe that reinforcing driver’s education every few years can help change a person’s perception of the dangers of impaired driving. Many courses are offered at an early age, when students may not have experienced real-world situations and may not know how to respond. Over time, lessons from these courses can fade, and habits may override the rules learned during that time. Refresher courses that emphasize long term safe driving habits can help drivers recognize repetitive risky choices and over time correct them. Addition, offering programs that address real-life experiences such as planning, peer pressure, and attitudes towards driving, not only for the driver but passengers and others on the road, demonstrating up to date videos and reports makes the dangers of impaired driving more practical and tangible.

As a mother, I have the responsibility to educate my children about safe driving. Having open conversations and encouraging honest talks promotes trust and awareness. During these open conversations, being genuine and sharing personal experiences from my own young adulthood along with lessons I have learned helps them understand why safety is important. Offering guidance without judgment encourages openness, and over time these conversations become easier, allowing young adults to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Most importantly, leading by example demonstrates safe behavior. Wearing your seatbelt, following traffic laws, and planning trips carefully provide strong models for your new drivers to follow. Consistency in these actions speak louder than words. By modeling safe behaviors, sharing guidance, and offering support, a mother helps her children recognize risks and make more responsible choices.