To me, impaired driving means driving while under the influence of anything that interferes with a person’s ability to drive safely. Many people immediately think of alcohol or drugs,but impairment can also come from things such as sleepiness,or using the phone while driving. Impairment is anything that affects a driver’s awareness, judgment, and reaction time. Even a slight delay in response can make the difference between avoiding an accident and causing one. That is why I believe impaired driving is much more popular than people think, and it is a serious problem that affects everyone on the road.

I think impaired driving is often misunderstood because people tend to associate it only with being “drunk.” You hear people talk about drunk driving all the time, so it becomes the main image in their minds. Many forms of impairment are less drastic but easier to overlook. Drivers often believe they are still in control, even when their judgment is weakened. Overconfidence plays a huge role in this misunderstanding. Many people tell themselves that they can “handle it,” whether “it” is a couple of drinks, a quick glance at a text message, or staying behind the wheel despite being exhausted. They convince themselves that these things don’t affect them as much as they affect others. But that is simply not true. Nobody is immune to distraction or slowed reaction times.

In my opinion, some of the most common types of impairment today are texting while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving while tired. These three issues stand out especially in my generation, since younger and newer drivers are on the road more often now and are heavily connected to their phones. With constant notifications, music apps, GPS directions, and social media, young drivers have more temptations to take their eyes off the road. On top of that, college students and teenagers often don’t get enough sleep, which leads to fatigued driving. Alcohol remains a major factor too, especially in college environments where many people are out late at night and then make the mistake of thinking they are “okay to drive.” These forms of impairment are common because they’re built into our everyday life and situations. Things such as phones, stress, and tight schedules all play a part.

A story that truly changed the way I think about impaired driving involved my close friend this year. It was nighttime after our board had a photoshoot. Before his accident, he had dropped me off at my dorm, and I reminded him to be safe on his drive back. Not long after that, I heard that he had been hit by another student who was on her phone while driving. That moment really opened my eyes. It was shocking to realize how quickly something like that can happen, especially when we are taught over and over again not to text and drive. Yet people still do it every single day, believing that one quick glance won’t hurt. This incident opened my eyes in a way that warnings never could. It made me rethink my own actions behind the wheel. As a young driver, I can admit that there were times when I checked my phone to change a song or glanced down at my GPS for directions. After hearing about my friend’s accident, I started taking steps to prevent myself from becoming distracted. Now I set up my playlist before I even start driving, and I make sure my GPS voice directions are on so I don’t have to keep looking at the screen. Small actions like this can make a huge difference, and I realized I should be taking them seriously for myself and everyone else on the road around me.

I definitely think that driver’s education and traffic school courses can play a huge role in changing attitudes and behaviors around impaired driving. In my opinion, these programs need to go beyond lectures. Coming from experience, students benefit most when they experience real-life examples or simulations that show the actual consequences of driving impaired. For instance, using things such as impairment goggles can help students feel what it’s like to lose coordination or have delayed reactions. Hearing firsthand stories from people whose lives have been affected by impaired driving—either survivors or families who lost loved ones—can also have a powerful emotional impact. Bringing in judges, police officers, or EMTs to speak to students can help them understand the legal and real-world consequences more clearly. When students learn in a hands-on, realistic way, the lessons stay with them longer. These programs are effective because they connect the rules to real experiences, helping young drivers understand not just what they should do, but why it matters.

Personally, I believe I can play an important role in preventing impaired driving by sharing what I’ve learned with others. When I’m in the car with friends, I can encourage them to stay focused and avoid distractions. I can be honest with them about the dangers and remind them of the consequences, especially since I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can go wrong. I can also lead by example by practicing safe driving habits myself—putting my phone away, not driving when tired or stressed, planning my music and directions ahead of time, and speaking up if someone else tries to drive while impaired. Even small actions can influence others to make safer choices.

Impaired driving is a serious issue, but by acknowledging it, talking about it, and practicing safe habits, we can all make the roads safer for everyone.