Today, car crashes caused by distracted or impaired driving are one of the leading causes of death or injury in the United States. To me, impaired driving means that someone is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a substance or is not giving their full attention to the road or their surroundings. Impaired driving can come in a wide array of forms that are separate from just alcohol or drugs. You see, the term “impaired driving” is often misunderstood even by people who have taken driver’s ed and have obtained a driver’s license because many think that it only entails illegal drugs or alcohol. While the aforementioned can cause impairment in a driver, so can other things such as legal prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, cellphones, passengers, and much more. Nevertheless, statistics show that cellphones and activities involving them such as texting and talking are the leading cause of impaired drivers and car crashes. I believe this is because the driver focuses more of their attention on what is happening on their phone or the person they're chatting with than on the road. Because of this, they are most likely not as attentive and reactive to the other cars on the road or disobey traffic laws. By doing this, not only is the impaired driver putting themselves and possibly other passengers in the car at risk but also innocent drivers who happen to be on the road with them. 

        Presently, most, if not all driver’s ed schools have a segment on distracted and impaired driving and the effects that it can have on you or other people. Many schools, along with the one I personally attended, even showed dashcam or street camera footage of the results of distracted driving in an attempt to deter new or upcoming drivers from making the decision to get behind the wheel while impaired. One story that changed my perspective and opened my eyes about the topic of impaired driving was told to me by a survivor of an impaired driving incident as part of completing my driver’s ed course. In this case, the man telling my class the story was the impaired driver who chose to make the decision of getting behind the wheel after drinking multiple beers and the result was him driving his car off of a freeway. Fortunately, no one else besides the storyteller was hurt but he explained how he became completely paralyzed from the waist down due to the incident and spent months in the hospital fighting for his life and regaining his motor functions. Seeing a grown man who clearly regrets the decision he made 20 years ago have the courage to share his story and get emotional in order to educate upcoming drivers really did change my mindset on impaired driving forever. Now, after hearing his story and how one seemingly quick and minor decision changed his life forever, I think about him every time I get behind the wheel of a car and it has made me make a promise to myself that I will never drive impaired and put myself and others in danger. Driver’s ed schools and programs as a whole can change attitudes about distracted driving because they educate new drivers about the dangers and possible consequences. An injury or death is not the only consequence that can come out of driving while impaired. Expensive fines and even criminal charges can be a detrimental result of driving while impaired and can cost one thousands of dollars and even their freedom. A suspended driver’s license can also be an effect of impaired driving. 

        The information taught to new drivers that went through these programs can also include ways to recognize an impaired driving behavior and how to avoid and or report them. By doing so, the livelihood and wellbeing of innocent drivers and pedestrians can be spared. Even one impaired driver being pulled over and taken off the road can save multiple other lives, and this is why it is important to immediately report someone if you suspect that they are driving while impaired. It only takes a second for an accident to occur and even sending a quick text message can cost someone their future or possibly even their life. The role that I myself can play in preventing impaired driving besides the aforementioned is to never drive while under the influence of anything that alters my judgment or self awareness along with refraining from interacting with my phone while operating a moving vehicle. I personally believe that cellular communication can wait and I know it’s better to pull over and park to use my phone if I feel that it cannot. I can also influence others to do so by informing them of the dangers of impaired driving and how to notice the signs. I believe It’s very important for driving schools to never tone down or stop teaching the effects of impaired driving to new drivers so that our roads can become safer.