Driving while impaired has several consequences and I have personally heard a situation where a student at my school was driving while impaired. One day I was minding my own business doing my homework in my room when I heard my phone go off from a group chat made for my CNA study group. In the chat, they sent a screenshot of a mug shot. Moments later I realized I knew this boy and he was in my grade. I went on the county jail website to confirm this was true and to see why he was arrested, and he had received a DUI. This kid was well known at school for being involved in sports and having many friends, but in the blink of an eye his reputation was ruined just from getting behind the wheel of his vehicle while being impaired. Personally this story affects me because I relate to this boy because I am very involved in sports and clubs at school and having your reputation ruined at such a young age will really affect your future. In his case he luckily didn't hurt himself or others, but he made a decision he should have thought twice about making. This has influenced my choices by making me ask myself why I would be drinking, what to do if I do drink, and how drinking can ruin your life.

When it comes to drinking or doing drugs, first of all you should ask yourself why you are going to do these activities. I am not one to shame a person for doing these legal activities if they're of age, but I really think people who do these activities are not valuing themselves as a person. These activities could cause habits and serious health risks that are irreversible. The second thing you should do if you do choose to drink or do drugs is to ask yourself if you need to go anywhere first before you do these activities. After you start drinking or doing drugs you should stay where you are at and not drive anywhere. Or the other option would be to ask a friend or parent for a ride. There will be fewer consequences if a parent or friend sees you drunk than if an officer sees you drunk while operating a vehicle yourself. So in the future just ask yourself where you want to end up at the end of the day: safe in bed asleep, or being told to walk in a straight line and then hand cuffed. 

Another way this boy's DUI story influenced me is to really make myself question alcohol and if I should even partake in these activities. Some people say they can control their alcohol, but in reality no one can control it, only build a tolerance which is even worse. Once you have a high tolerance it is harder to get drunk and will cause you to raise your blood alcohol volumes. This can make someone more vulnerable to make a decision that will ruin their life than a person who is sober. In my head I have to ask myself if ruining my life, reputation, or another person's life is truly worth walking in the footsteps of one of my fellow classmates. 

The last way my classmate has influenced me is to spread my knowledge to others. In high school there will always be parties, and sometimes I show up to these parties with a couple of friends. And usually people will bring alcohol to the parties in their vehicles which is also illegal, but not the main concern of this essay. The main concern is that many of these kids will drink until they are about to fall over, not plan a ride ahead of time, and then risk driving back home in the dark. So what part do I play in all of this? First of all I tell them that their behavior is very risky and that they could have serious consequences and fines if they are pulled over. Then I ask them if they love themselves, which most of them agree to. So then I ask them why they would want to put themselves in danger of possibly hitting someone and killing someone. And they always stare at me. Some people don't like hearing about their actions, but putting that thought in their head at least makes them aware of the consequences that could happen. The main thing I can do to help people is to educate them on what they should do instead. At their age they shouldn't even bring alcohol in their car in the first place. But this applies to any situation, not just a party. People everywhere are getting in wrecks every day from being impaired while driving, and any teen who takes a Texas driving course will know about some of these tragic stories.

The ultimate choice is yours. Next time when you drive will you think of your mugshot being passed around your school in group chats? WIll you think about your own self love and the consideration of other lives around you? Or will you become impaired and make a mistake that will stay with you for the rest of your life? It is simple, but it is up to you to make your decisions to be a better person and help not contribute to the abundance of impaired drivers.