This past summer my family had tickets to see the Yankees play at Roger’s Centre in Toronto, Canada. I’ve grown up in upstate New York, about 30 miles south of the Canadian Border, and had never been to Canada prior to this day. As a long time Yankees fan, we were excited to be able to see them play close to our home. When we pulled up to the Border Agents, we didn’t know what to expect and were surprised when they sent us to go inside to have a longer conversation with the agents. At 18 years old, it was the first time I learned that my dad had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, many years ago, and that arrest can keep the Canadian authorities from allowing him into their country. Fortunately, my dad was aware of this, and we later learned that he had applied and was approved for rehabilitation status, and after a long few hours, we were able to continue on our journey to see the Yankees play, and lose, to the Toronto Blue Jays. 

            Prior to that day, I had been a little curious as to why my dad never drinks alcohol, but I later learned that he gave it up years prior; after realizing it was a problem and his behaviors in the past were a risk to himself and others. My dad’s DWI arrest was over 20 years prior to that day, but I learned that despite that time, there are repercussions even beyond the risks in the moment. I learned in that moment that my dad is lucky to be alive, he told stories about his drinking and driving that occurred at times when he didn’t get caught, and a few of those times, he admits, could have resulting in his death or that of someone else. Prior to hearing these stories, I knew the dangers of impaired driving, but hearing from him really made me think even more about the risks and potential impact.

            As a college student for just one semester so far, I’ve already heard stories about kids getting arrested for impaired driving. The arrests I’ve heard about involve alcohol, but there are many other impairments that can occur behind the wheel. Besides alcohol and drugs, the big one I see with friends involves distracted driving, often from cell phone use or behaviors that take attention from the road, like friends in the car. Much to my annoyance in the past, my parents have been strict with me and my siblings as new drivers, with rules about friends in the car and apps that monitor our speed and phone use while driving. As frustrating as these are, as I look back, I understand and appreciate the need to focus on driving when behind the wheel, as I’ve had friends get into accidents resulting from being distracted behind the wheel. 

            Stories I’ve heard about impaired driving and the risks and costs have shaped the way I think and plan when going out with friends. As a college student, I have certainly enjoyed what the nightlife has to offer, but I always plan transportation to and from our destination before we leave for the night. The college offers a free bus to get into the downtown area every night, however the last bus back to campus often leaves earlier than we plan to leave, therefore my friends and I have enjoyed many late-night walks back to campus. While this walk is just over a mile, I’m not exaggerating when I say, it is a mile that is mostly uphill. Nevertheless, it’s a mile where we’re together, laughing, and most importantly safe. 

            I’m fortunate to have attended a high school that continues to offer driver’s education as a one semester class, which allowed me to gain much needed knowledge about safety behind the wheel, and behaviors that can increase risk, including impaired and distracted driving. I’m even more fortunate to have parents who have not only enforced rules and expectations but also shared stories with us that had a big impact on them and their lives, and subsequently, our lives and decisions. As a first-year college student I’ve learned that there are plenty of things to stress about and manage, we don’t need to add unnecessary stress to our lives, like impaired driving arrests. Young drivers should research options for getting around if they plan to engage in any behavior that could impair their driving and make a plan in advance. The risks of driving impaired are too high, from the financial impact to the legal impact, and even worse, the potential to cause harm to those in your vehicle or others on the road around you. And at the very least, it could impact your ability to leave the country in the future, which could lead to you missing the excitement of the game.