If you were to go around and ask any random person to define "impaired driving," the first thing they'd probably say would be something about alcohol intoxication or drug usage. Someone saying that wouldn't be necessarily wrong, but it seems to be only a small minority of people who consider impaired driving to be a person driving, possibly while in a fractured physical, mental, or emotional state. You don't have to be drunk or high to make a mistake while driving. You could be driving home from a long day of work, really late at night. You could be dealing with a painful injury, and your body won't let you steer or brake. You could be extremely stressed out and completely unfocused on your surroundings. Each of these forms of impairment affects perception, timing, and reaction, turning regular driving into a potentially life-threatening mistake if not taken seriously.

My point is that a person's decision-making on the road isn't always affected by a dangerous substance. For example, when you're taking your driver's test, you know NOT to be inattentive, so you PREPARE by coming in well rested and ready. If there's a situation where your body just won't allow you to function, that counts as impairment, because it's not like you planned to be exhausted. Even in the era of technology we live in, more distractions exist than ever before. There are so many examples of people being distracted by cellphones, a prime example being texting while driving. 

Distracting yourself while driving, especially texting or using a phone while behind the wheel, has unfortunately become one of the most common and deadly risks that lead to accidents. Another misconception that people have about impaired driving, especially when talking about phones, is that it's always a teen or 20-something-year-old. A few family friends, who are a few years older than me or even twice my age (19), have admitted that they'll sometimes send out a quick text while driving or even find themselves scrolling Facebook or another social media app at the wheel. Whenever it comes up, I try to explain that that habit is a preventable one that can lead to serious consequences if they don't stop. Of course, it's not something they do on purpose, nor is it some impossible vice to give up. But even a few seconds of inattention can cause a life-changing tragedy. Each of these forms of impairment affects perception, timing, and reaction, turning everyday driving into a potentially life-threatening activity if not taken seriously. 

Drive's Ed does a good job of preventing the next generation of new drivers from making easy mistakes and encouraging new drivers to think critically while driving. Some courses show new drivers real-life examples of different things that can happen to you while driving that may impair you. Showing new drivers what to do in harsh weather conditions or how to proceed when met with a four-way stop is a great way of instilling greater confidence and good driving skills into someone new to the road. Yes, you can plan for the weather, but you never know when it'll be a downpour or suddenly start hailing. That's why those specific types of impairments that aren't always mentioned are important to discuss in a driving course. Creating that sense of responsibility for new drivers is a critical step in preventing accidents while being impaired.

Not just Driver's Ed, but various traffic safety courses also teach strategies to prevent impairment before it becomes dangerous. Students in these courses are given tools to plan for all types of things that could happen on the open road, such as making sure to arrange rides if they might be injured, taking breaks on long drives to prevent fatigue, and practicing defensive driving techniques. Defensive driving emphasizes recognizing potential hazards, keeping safe distances, and staying alert even when others on the road are careless. By providing the practical skills and a mindset of control, these programs reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by unforeseen impairments. 

I always try to be not only a thoughtful driver but also a smart driver. My parents, especially my dad, is a very experienced driver, and with my younger brother taking his first steps to getting his driver's license, I want to hold myself to a high standard. I want him to know that there's another good example in the house that he can look to whenever he begins his journey on the road, besides our parents. By modeling responsible driving and accountability, I aim to be a driver who won't risk anyone's life when things are in my control, influencing friends and family, and others, to also practice good driving habits.