When I think about impaired driving, I think about any situation where a person is driving without being fully alert or able to react the way they should. A lot of people only think of drunk driving, but there are so many other ways someone can be impaired—texting, being tired, using drugs, or even just not paying attention. To me, impaired driving means someone is putting themselves and others at risk because they aren’t in the right condition to handle a car. Cars are heavy, fast, and honestly more dangerous than we sometimes realize. One mistake can change everything.

I’ve never been in a major accident myself, and I’m thankful for that, but I’ve seen enough on the road to know how real the danger is. One time I was on the highway and a car came flying through traffic going way faster than anyone else. They were weaving in and out of lanes, almost like they were playing a video game instead of driving. It felt like they were going to slam into the back of my car, and it really scared me. Also, my best friend’s sister recently got into a terrible accident because she was texting while driving. She didn’t see a semi-truck and hit it. The accident crushed her ribs, and they had to airlift her to Duke Hospital. Hearing that story shook me because it showed how fast something can happen just from looking at your phone for a few seconds.

When it comes to what type of impairment is the “most dangerous,” I honestly feel like all of them are dangerous in their own ways. I’ve heard awful stories about drunk driving, drug-related accidents, people falling asleep at the wheel, and of course texting and driving. All of these can lead to serious injuries or even death. But if I had to choose one that stands out, I think alcohol might be the worst just because it’s so common and so easy to access. Alcohol affects your judgment, your reaction time, and your coordination all at once. That combination can be deadly. At the same time, fatigue and texting are just as risky because they take your attention away completely. So, to me, the danger really depends on the situation and the person.

Because of what I’ve seen, I try to take my own driving habits seriously. I always wear my seatbelt, even if I’m just going down the street. I travel a lot between Goldsboro and places like Raleigh, Wake Forest, Durham, Youngsville, and Charlotte, so I’m used to long drives. One thing I never do is drive when I’m too tired. If I’m sleepy before driving, I’ll take a nap first. And if I’m already on the road and feel myself getting tired, I pull over right away and rest. I’ve learned that driving tired is just not worth the risk. I also don’t text and drive. If something urgent comes up, I use the voice feature on my phone instead of taking my eyes off the road. These habits might seem small, but they make a big difference.

Driver’s education helped shape the way I think about impaired driving too. In my program, we did a drunk driving simulator, and that honestly opened my eyes. Even though it was just a simulation, it showed me how hard it is to stay focused or drive straight when you’re impaired. It’s one thing for someone to tell you it’s dangerous, but it’s another thing to actually see how badly alcohol or distractions can affect your driving. I think that’s what makes driver’s ed and traffic school useful—they don’t just lecture you, they let you experience things in a controlled way so you can understand the real consequences.

As for my personal role in preventing impaired driving, I think everyone has some responsibility. My choices don’t just affect me—they affect everyone around me on the road. If I choose not to text while driving or I choose to pull over when I’m tired, that can avoid an accident that might hurt someone else. I also believe I can influence the people around me just by how I act. Sometimes friends or family notice what you do before they listen to what you say. If they see me practicing safe driving habits, maybe they’ll do the same. Even small things like reminding someone not to text and drive could make a difference.

Overall, impaired driving is something that affects everyone, whether or not they’ve been in a crash. The experiences I’ve had—seeing reckless drivers, hearing about my friend’s sister’s accident, and learning through driver’s ed—have made me more aware of how important it is to stay focused and in control behind the wheel. It only takes one second for something to go wrong, and that’s why making safe choices matters every single time we drive. If I can keep myself safe and also encourage others to do the same, then I feel like I’m helping make the roads a little bit safer for everyone.