When I think about impaired driving, I see it as any time a driver gets behind the wheel when their judgment, focus, or ability to react is not at its best. Many people only think about alcohol when they hear the word impaired, but it goes beyond that. It can be drugs, lack of sleep, distractions like phones, or even strong emotions. Impaired driving means you are not fully present or capable of making safe decisions, and that puts both you and everyone else on the road in danger.

I think one reason it is sometimes misunderstood is because people assume that impairment is only serious if you are drunk or heavily under the influence of something. Even drivers who have completed driver’s education may underestimate how much fatigue or texting can affect their driving. Some people believe that being “a little tired” or “just checking a quick text” is harmless, but those small choices can be deadly. Education gives us the rules and facts, but attitudes are harder to change, especially when people convince themselves that they are in control.

Today, the most common impairments I see and hear about are alcohol, drugs, texting, and fatigue. Alcohol slows down reaction time and clouds judgment. Drugs, whether prescription or recreational, can distort how a person sees the road or reacts to situations. Texting is one of the biggest dangers right now because so many people cannot resist the urge to look at their phones, even for a second. Fatigue is also more common than many think. Driving when your body wants to sleep can be just as dangerous as driving drunk because your brain is not alert enough to respond to the unexpected. Each of these types of impairment creates unsafe behavior, like swerving, missing stop signs, or not noticing a pedestrian crossing the street.

I personally experienced something that changed the way I think about impaired driving earlier this year. I was in an accident as a pedestrian when riding my scooter. A driver was not fully alert and it ended in me being hit. I suffered a concussion and had to deal with post concussion syndrome while also continuing school and sports. It opened my eyes to how one moment of not paying attention on the road can change someone else’s life. Before that accident, I knew impaired driving was dangerous, but I never thought it would touch me personally. Now, when I think about getting behind the wheel in the future, I remind myself that my choices can affect more than just me. I think about the pain and recovery I had to go through and I know I never want to put another person in that position because of something I could have prevented.

Driver’s education and traffic school courses can help change attitudes and behaviors around impaired driving by teaching more than just laws. They can bring in real stories, simulations, and statistics that make the dangers feel personal and real. For example, hearing from survivors of impaired driving accidents or families who lost loved ones can create an emotional connection that facts alone cannot. Courses can also include exercises that let students experience what it feels like to have slowed reaction times or blurred vision. When people realize that impairment affects everyone, even if you think you are a “good driver,” it makes the message stronger. These programs are most effective when they show students that safe driving is not just about avoiding tickets, but about protecting lives.

I believe I can personally play a role in preventing impaired driving by sharing my own story and speaking up when I see unsafe behavior. I have younger family members and teammates who will soon be driving, and I can remind them to take impaired driving seriously. I can model safe habits like putting my phone away when in the car and making sure I am rested before driving. Even as a passenger, I can influence the driver by encouraging them to focus and not take risks. My knowledge and training from driver’s education will not only guide my own decisions but can also inspire those around me to make safer choices.

Impaired driving is more than just breaking a rule. It is a choice that can cause permanent harm. By understanding what it really means, recognizing the different forms it can take, and being willing to speak up, we can protect ourselves and each other. My experience has taught me that one mistake can last forever, and that lesson is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Driver’s education gives us the tools, but it is up to us to live by them and create a culture where safety always comes firs