According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), in my home state of Wisconsin in 2023, 186 people were killed due to alcohol and drug impaired car accidents, and an additional 3,580 people were injured. My family accounts for four people in this tragic number.

On June 19, 2023, my life unexpectedly took an awful turn. Just down the road from my town’s elementary school, my family’s minivan was totaled by a driver on drugs. Even after his countless OWI (operating while intoxicated) violations, the man was still allowed to drive on the road. I was only thirteen, but I remember waiting at that stop sign, the intersection that I’ve been scared of ever since. I remember his car, coming over the center line, plowing over that stop sign coming right toward us. I remember the impact, the jarring screech from the collision of his bumper and the side of our minivan. I remember my brother’s screaming after his head collided with the window, and me, desperately praying that he would be okay. I remember my mom calling the police, then thrusting the phone to me and telling me to call my dad. I remember the panic in my dad’s voice as I was shaking and sobbing trying to explain what had just happened, even though at the time, I was not quite sure myself. 

I remember the anxiety and post-traumatic stress that came afterward. I remember the nightmares, the panic every time I got into another vehicle, and the irrational fears and anxiety that began following the accident. I remember my brother’s black eye after the crash and my back issues that began. I remember the man who had hit us, walking away unscathed. I remember the court dates and my little sister’s victim impact statement. I remember the hoops we had to jump through to get a new car, and even to afford a new car. I remember the man not comprehending what he had done; he hadn’t understood the depth of his mistake. I remember that this was not his first OWI, and it likely would not be his last. After this turning point in my life, I swore I would never drive impaired.

Driving on drugs, however, is only one form of impairment. There are many more fatal driving issues such as texting and driving, fatigued driving, drunk driving, driving on medication, and driving with unsafe medical conditions. Most commonly we hear about instances of accidents with drunk drivers, and this is likely because it is the most common form of impaired driving. Every day, an average of 34 Americans lose their lives in collisions caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, 30% of fatal collisions are caused by drunk driving (NHTSA). Even though this is illegal across the entire country, this issue still occurs.

Imagine if we could put an end to this illegal behavior. It seems so simple. If you drink, don’t drive. But this still happens, despite the continued education and stress upon drunk driving. It comes from a few simple ideas: it won’t happen to me; it will be fine; I can still drive. But we know that it does happen and it’s very dangerous not only to the driver, but the passengers, and the innocent people in other vehicles on the road. Although driver’s education and extensive stress on drunk driving usually occurs in the teenage years, the majority of drivers in 2023 who drove after drinking alcohol were between the ages of 21 and 24 (NHTSA). This is also the age when young adults are given legal access to alcohol, so logically this would also be the prime population to drive drunk. Even still, this is an issue that needs to be solved immediately.

We need continued education and consistent stress on this issue beyond receiving a license, past high school, and into colleges, universities, and technical schools. It is very important that we do not neglect this issue, especially among drivers of these ages. If we look at this issue statistically, 3,480 people lost their lives as the result of drunk drivers between the ages of 21-24 in 2023 (NHTSA). If we could have reduced the number of these collisions, even by half, the lives of 1,740 people could have been saved. Tragically, we cannot change those numbers. But we can change the numbers in 2026, 2027, 2028, and the following years to come.

I remember the day my life changed after my experience with impaired driving. I remember how I never want to relive that accident, and today I never want anyone to suffer from accidents or injuries on account of impaired or distracted driving. I want to inspire others who have lived through similar experiences to share their stories and inform others of the seriousness of this ongoing matter, while advocating for safe and responsible driving with their peers and in their community. With extended education beyond driver’s ed and spreading awareness of this crime’s impact on our communities, I believe together we can save lives on the road and reduce the number of victims of this crime.