When I hear the phrase “impaired driving,” I think of an individual who is not driving with full awareness. Meaning, their being on the road can be damaging to themselves and/or others. Impaired driving is misinterpreted by some because drivers may overestimate their driving ability. For instance, they may think to themselves, “I only had one or two drinks, I’m not drunk, I’m okay to drive.” Or: “I smoked/took that pill/substance two hours ago, I’ve come down by now.” Drivers who have completed driver’s education or traffic school are taught right from wrong on the road. Even still, one can be aware of the right and wrong choice and end up choosing wrong. For some, it may seem more appealing. For others, they think of the present and disregard future repercussions. Poor drivers are not always a result of poor teaching, but one of poor character. 

About one-third (approximately 33%) of all traffic fatalities involve a driver impaired by alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The most common types of driver impairment among drivers today are alcohol, distracted driving (including texting), and fatigue, with alcohol being the leading cause. To think, a person decides to get on the road while under the influence to face a potential DUI or worse charge, such as manslaughter, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars, when they could be responsible and call an Uber with an average price of $12. It is nonsensical, and yet, so many drivers do so on an annual basis. 

Alcohol, drugs, texting, and fatigue while driving are detrimental because they may alter one’s judgment and decision-making. For example, a driver may decide to take more risks on the road, such as speeding, tailgating another driver, or swerving too close to the curb or bike lane, endangering civilians. They may also decide to ignore stop signs or traffic lights at crosswalks, risking the lives of pedestrians. Distractions can also blur a driver’s vision. So, even if they wanted or intended to abide by street signs, they may not be able to clearly see them, and ultimately end up ignoring/bypassing them. Distracted drivers may also be less in control of their reaction time on the road. Therefore, a driver may steer or brake more slowly on the road. They are less prepared for sudden changes, a necessity for drivers to look out for. Along with a slower response time, impaired driving can cause drowsiness. A driver may fall asleep on the road, collide with another car, or veer off the road altogether. There could be a vehicle honking loudly at them and in proximity, but they could be so out of sorts that they won’t even notice. Distracted driving can be ruinous because it diverts a driver’s attention from the road to their device. Furthermore, to respond to a text message, they may remove their hands from the wheel, increasing the chance of lane weaving. Even the message notification sound can pull a driver’s focus from the road. Distracted driving can increase a driver’s aggression and irritability, making issues on the road or with other drivers more likely to occur. 

I have seen movies and television shows where someone is engaging in impaired driving, and there are disastrous results. Common examples include: imprisonment, death, and paralysis. Viewing these examples on my screen resonated with me because, fictional or not, one mistake altered lives forever and ended the innocent lives of others. I recognized that the issue is more serious than it may seem based on a first impression. I’ve seen happy families broken because of someone else’s mistake, a stranger.

Driver’s education and traffic school can equip drivers with the necessary knowledge to conduct themselves responsibly on the road. Such teachings can equip real-world examples and cases to instill the severity of impaired driving’s consequences. If someone were to hear from someone who was personally impacted by the issue, it can make it more real in their minds because it is more than an idea or something they hear about. Actualizing an issue can make it memorable for someone much more than simply stating that it’s an issue. Simulations can help train drivers on the appropriate actions to be taken in impaired driving situations. I can use my common sense and sign up for driver’s education courses to stay educated, as well as share my learnings with others. If I can teach what I learned to others, we can all benefit the next time we find ourselves behind the wheel.