My father is an alcoholic, and I grew up used to seeing him come home with drinks in brown bags or always pouring a beer into a cup before leaving to go to a friend's house. My sisters, our mother, and I always urged him not to do that; we worried that our father would go to jail one day, that we would get a call we didn’t want to hear. This would always cause problems with our family. I remember silently sitting on the stairs listening to my parents fight about it, among other things. He would even drive under the influence with my sisters and me in the car I believe this is where my anxiety began. I will forever be angry with him for putting our lives in danger like that. To this day, he is still very irresponsible with driving. I took it as a learning experience. I told myself I would never drive under the influence, even if I only had one sip of alcohol, I would not touch the wheel. I believe driver's education can definitely help some people open their eyes and drive responsibly, but that alone will not make people like my father change their minds. Many of them will just hear it and think, “Oh, that won't happen to me. I’m way more careful,” but even one changed person can make a difference.

     Most people, when they hear impaired driving they think of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Still, it can be something as simple as someone driving without their prescription glasses or driving while sick, driving while on prescription medications, or even driving after taking cough or allergy medicine, which causes drowsiness. Some people will pull an all-nighter and drive to school or work the next day. Last but not least, distractions. One of the biggest distractions while driving is having a phone on and close by. Anything that makes someone less alert or focused while driving is impairing them. Impaired driving can often be misunderstood because people don’t realize how many everyday substances and conditions can affect their driving. They think that because their drugs are prescribed, it’s safe to drive on them. Also, because of the cultural normalization of drunk driving, people’s confidence gets in the way of their judgment. They think “I can handle it” or “I’m used to driving drunk,” not fully grasping the damage it can inflict.  

     The most common type of impairment among drivers today is drunk driving. Whether heard on the news or from a friend, the numerous accidents that occur are undeniable. Furthermore, making its normalization in today’s society is not surprising. Some people can barely walk in a straight line and still choose to drive home. I see it all the time, people swerving in the streets, barely able to stay in a lane. They either drive really slow or speed. Taking drugs, texting, and driving while tired affects reaction time, attention, judgment, and motor coordination. These impairments contribute to unsafe behaviors such as swerving, speeding, delayed braking, missing road signs, and taking unnecessary risks. All of which significantly increases crash risk. Once, my friends and I were headed to a concert in an Uber when all of a sudden a truck zoomed past us, swerving between cars. A minute later, we caught up to the truck, smashed into the side railing of the road. Thankfully, no other cars were involved in the accident, and I hope whoever was in that truck came out unharmed, but that isn't always the result. 

     To help people drive more safely, driver’s ed needs to build awareness of what impaired driving really is. Just teaching people the rules and laws of driving won’t do it. They need to change how people think about driving and denormalize driving under the influence. They can do this by starting with younger drivers. People need to learn that their actions and choices have consequences. A good program will broaden the subject of impaired driving by including the results and examples of all types of impairment. People need to realize that it’s not just drunk driving or texting. It can be things like fatigue, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and even over-the-counter medicine. Even being stressed, angry, or emotionally vulnerable can increase the risk of an accident. Programs also need to include real-world stories and experiences. As technology continues to develop, dashcams and crash footage become more widely available. Furthermore, some people have experiences just like mine, whose stories can have a real impact on someone. Seeing how bad an accident can really be can help someone realize the damage impairment can cause. Appealing to the heart often works better than just showing statistics on a screen. Another way to deter drivers from driving while impaired is to show them how expensive it can be. Driving under the influence can lead to higher insurance rates, possible jail time, fines, and license suspension. Teaching drivers about safer alternatives can also contribute to less impaired driving. These alternatives can include  planning for someone to be the designated driver, ordering an Uber, calling a friend or loved one, pulling over if too tired, and putting your phone on “do not disturb.” These are simple things that you can do that can save a life.

     I can play an important role by making responsible choices every time I’m behind the wheel. That means never driving when I’m affected by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, stress, or distractions. I can arrange an Uber, be a designated driver, or decide not to drive if I’m tired or taking medication that affects alertness. By staying true to these habits, I can influence the people around me while also showing them that they can trust me to drive safely. I can also speak up if I’m ever with someone who intends to drive impaired by offering alternatives or refusing to get in the car. Every time I see my father revert to his bad habits, I try to convince him not to drive by explaining how impairment affects reaction time, judgment, and safety, and remind him of legal and financial consequences he might not be thinking about. It might not work all the time, but I can still do my part. Even small actions like this help prevent dangerous situations.