Driving is a sacred time. For many families, this is the rare moment when everyone is in one place, moving toward a shared destination. Parents often joke that the car is the only place where they can “trap” their kids long enough to talk, laugh, and ask questions without anyone escaping. Those small conversations—about school, plans, or everyday life—often become some of the most memorable moments families share. For teenagers, driving is an entirely different kind of experience. It represents a privilege, one they have anticipated for years. It is the moment they gain independence and learn to trust themselves in a way they never have before. Driving carries a different meaning for everyone, shaped by personal experiences and values.

To me, driving is freedom and peace. It allows me to take myself where I need to go on my own schedule, without relying on anyone else. It gives me the chance to listen to the radio, process my thoughts, or simply enjoy quiet moments alone with no distractions. The road becomes a place where I can breathe. But to others, driving is not nearly as sacred, especially when they underestimate or disregard the responsibilities that come with it. In today’s world, impaired driving continues to be one of the leading causes of death, which has always confused and frustrated me. Why would anyone willingly put themselves—and everyone around them—in danger?

Impaired driving means many different things, yet most people tend to think of it only as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. To me, impaired driving includes any situation where a driver’s ability to focus, react, or make safe decisions is weakened. This can include driving with distracting passengers, using drugs or alcohol, texting, drowsiness, and so much more. The concept of impairment is often misunderstood, especially because of how people talk about it online. On social media, impaired driving is almost always portrayed as substance-related, but the reality is far more complex. Influencers, celebrities, and peers often oversimplify the issue or even unintentionally glamorize unsafe behaviors. When influential people promote harmful ideas, they impact thousands of followers who trust them—sometimes with life-or-death consequences.

Even those who know the rules, who have gone through driver’s education or passed traffic school, can fall for misconceptions because of peer pressure or false confidence. Young drivers especially tend to believe that they are “fine to drive” after little sleep, after sending just one text, or after a few drinks. But the truth is that some of the most common and dangerous forms of impairment are the ones people rarely talk about: texting and drowsiness.

These behaviors are often placed into their own separate categories, as though they are somehow different from being impaired. But they absolutely are forms of impairment. When drivers text, their cognitive ability plummets. Their response time slows, and the chances of being involved in a crash skyrocket. A few seconds of distraction can forever change someone's life. Drowsiness is just as dangerous. Fatigue can be just as impairing as alcohol, lowering alertness, slowing reaction time, and reducing the ability to detect hazards. Drowsy drivers commonly drift between lanes, miss stop signs, or fail to notice traffic lights—often causing serious intersection accidents.

In 2020, my sister was in the car with an impaired driver. They crashed, and she passed away. That moment shattered my world, and from that day forward, I vowed never to drive impaired or ride with anyone who is. The loss of my sister is something I carry with me every single time I get behind the wheel. I go through a mental checklist before I start the car: Am I tired? Is my phone put away? Is my mind clear? If I am not in the right condition to drive, I call someone. If my phone might distract me, I put it in a bag in the back seat so I cannot reach it. I limit impairments not just for my own safety but for every other person I will encounter on the road.

Driver’s education programs and traffic safety courses are essential because they share real stories—stories like my sister’s. These experiences change people. When students hear about the consequences of impaired driving, the issue becomes real instead of abstract. They begin to understand that their choices behind the wheel matter deeply.

My family has committed ourselves to promoting safe driving. My mother runs a foundation dedicated to this cause, and I work with DECA, FBLA, and FCCLA at my high school to organize “drive safe” weeks. We speak to students, create campaigns, and share my sister’s story in hopes of leaving a lasting impact. We also partner with local schools and community groups to spread awareness and reach as many young drivers as possible.

By sharing my experiences and knowledge, I hope to prevent even one more accident. When I talk to my peers about impaired driving, they listen—not because they have to, but because they can see how deeply it has shaped me. My sister’s story influences them to make safer choices to protect themselves, their friends, and their families.

If I can help make even one driver more aware, more cautious, or more thoughtful, then I am making the roads safer—one driver at a time.