When I first heard of the term “impaired driving”, I believed it had to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For example, someone was driving drunk late at night, and it caused them to swerve through lanes. I believed that if someone was sober, they were capable of driving safely. With time and personal experience, I realized that impaired driving can take many forms and be fatal, but many do not take it seriously. To me, impaired driving means controlling a car while there are factors that can interfere with the ability to focus, react, or make safe choices. The misconception is that many assume that the term ‘impaired’ only applies to those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers underestimate the potential for a few seconds of glancing at a phone to lead to a detrimental accident.

My awareness of impaired driving deepened once I experienced it first-hand. I was in the car with a family member that I was visiting, someone I trusted and had ridden with many times. It was during the holidays, so the city was busier than usual. As we approached an intersection, their phone buzzed, and without hesitation, they picked it up. They took seconds to look between the phone and the road. Within seconds, the car in front of us slowed, and we nearly rear-ended it. My life flashed before my eyes, and the sudden halt and jolt forward made me realize how bad the situation could have been. I did not say anything – not in the moment, nor afterwards. It made me realize how easy it is to become distracted, and how that could turn into something life-changing. That moment reshaped how I thought about driving before I had even started driving myself. I noticed how everyone I rode with would casually check their phones, and how rarely other passengers would speak up. Fear can be silent, and silence can cause danger. My experience helped me later mold myself into the driver I want to be. I want my passengers to trust me, and not to feel the way I did that day – afraid and stuck.

The most common impairments among drivers today are phone usage. Every time I drive, I see multiple drivers using their phones. The driver is technically sober, awake, and physically capable, but their attention is being consumed by something that doesn’t contribute to the drive. Reaction time slows, and awareness narrows – effects that also mirror other forms of impairment, such as drunkenness. Fatigue is also common, especially among parents managing work and home life, and teenagers balancing school, sports, and socials.

Driver’s education classes, or driver’s training, try to address issues like impaired driving. It is important to do so because new drivers need to be aware of every issue they could encounter and how to be the safest driver possible. These classes teach road laws, show statistics, and show consequences for actions. However, what makes these programs effective in the real world is when they appeal to emotions. For example, my instructor shared stories of survivors and provided visuals that demonstrated the true impacts of not being safe. Personal learning is more memorable than just listening.

I believe that I can play a role in preventing impaired driving. Small things like speaking up when I’m uncomfortable with a driver could help drivers understand how serious it is to give the road their full attention. I can refuse to be silent because of fear. I can model safe behavior when I am behind the wheel. When someone is riding with me, it is important to me that they make it to their destination safely. I would expect it to be important to others that I make it to my destination safely when I am their passenger, as well. Knowledge only matters if it influences choices, and choosing safety should always be a priority.

Looking back on my experiences as a passenger and now as a driver, I realize that impaired driving is much deeper than just being under the influence of some substances. It is about moments, decisions, and awareness. It is important for drivers to understand that lives can change in a fraction of a second, whether they think they are in control of the situation or not. My experience taught me that safety is shared while driving, and it is important for your passengers to feel just as safe as you do. A near-miss situation may have only lasted a few seconds, but its impact will shape how a passenger or driver will think, act, and speak about driving later.