Drivers of all ages and experience levels are faced with impaired driving at some point. This can happen as a result of texting a loved one back quickly, feeling a little tired, or making a negative decision like drinking. Driving while impaired is not only dangerous for the driver but could be life altering for those around. However, it is one of the most preventable causes of injury and death on the road. By taking a second to consider the negative impacts these decisions could have, many lives could be saved. 

To me, "Impaired Driving” means operating a vehicle when the ability to operate the vehicle has been threatened by the use of drugs and alcohol, distraction, and fatigue. It slows reaction time, impairs judgement, and can cause serious injury and even death. Impaired driving is often misunderstood because drivers believe that unless they are obviously intoxicated, their quick texts aren't harmful. In reality, looking away for just a second decreased judgment and increased the likelihood for a collision. Even for those who have completed driver’s education, there can be misunderstanding. Sometimes extra experience like drivers ed can give individuals a false sense of confidence that they are “better drivers” or can “handle it”. However, this is not true. While the extra experience is beneficial, they are still just as likely to get into an accident than someone without experience like driver's education. 

Among the many types of impairment, alcohol and phone usage is most common for drivers today. Driving while intoxicated impairs judgement, slows reaction time, and affects decision making increasing the chance for collision. Unfortunately, many adults believe that they “feel fine” or “only had a couple” and therefore it’s safe to drive. However, if they just took an extra minute to get a ride they may be saving their own life or someone else's life. Texting while driving can be just as detrimental as driving drunk. While completing drivers education, I learned that looking away or being distracted for just a second can lead to an accident. Many drivers are aware of the risk for accidents while texting but continue to do it anyway. I believe it is because they think that a collision won’t happen to them because they believe they are better drivers. Texting is another very common way drivers put themselves and others at risk. Although it can be inconvenient to pull over to text or wait until you get to the destination, the person you are texting would be much happier to wait for a response than to find out you were injured in an accident. Overall, I believe that intoxication and texting are the most common among drivers today. It is important that drivers are aware of the risks that these choices can have on both themselves and others. 

At the end of the 2025 school year, a student at my school was struck in his driveway and almost killed by an alleged drunk driver. He suffered numerous injuries leading to him needing many surgeries. This made me realize how quickly our lives can be impacted by the choices of others and how our choices can drastically change someone's future. This student was an amazing athlete and unfortunately, the end of his senior year was altered due to his long needed hospital stay. While driving I remember that waiting to send a text message or deciding to stay in when I am feeling a little tired is more important than risking the lives of others. 

I personally took driver's education and felt that it made me more aware of how our actions could have an effect on the safety of ourselves and others. I had to watch different scenarios that lead people into getting accidents. Some include distractions like looking out the window, texting, changing the radio, or talking to someone else in the car. Before drivers ed. I didn’t realize that looking away for just a second could lead to an accident. Additionally, hearing stories of families who lost loved ones in crashes have an emotional impact that makes students take the course more seriously. These programs are especially effective because they help build safe habits early on in driving before the risky behaviors become a habit. It could be the reason that someone chose between sending that text or not or getting some rest before pushing through exhaustion. 

I personally believe that I can help to prevent impaired driving by being an example for those around me. For example, while driving with my friends, keeping my phone in my glove box or out of reach. Even small things like offering to take someone home or speaking up if someone I know is distracted while they are driving. 

Impaired driving does kill and simple choices could be the difference between life and death. Not only is it dangerous for the driver but it can drastically impact the lives of people around us. I personally have learned the impact that my actions can have on others through driver's education and believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to complete a similar program.