When I hear the words “impaired driving,” I think of any situation where someone is behind the wheel but not fully able to focus or make good decisions. A lot of people only think about drunk driving, but to me, it’s way bigger than that. It’s driving tired, driving distracted, driving while emotional, driving after taking something that slows you down, even if it’s “just one drink” or “just a second” on your phone. Basically, it’s any time you’re not completely ready to react. And honestly, I think it gets misunderstood because so many people think, well, I feel fine, or I’ve done this before, and nothing happened. Even people who have taken driver’s ed or traffic school sometimes act like impairment only counts if you’re falling-over drunk. But that’s not how it works.

Today, the biggest impairments I see aren’t even alcohol; they’re phones and exhaustion. Especially with teens. Everyone’s so attached to their phone that checking a notification while driving doesn’t feel like a big deal. But it is. Even looking down for two seconds means the car is moving forward, with no one actually paying attention. And being tired is almost worse because you don’t always realize how tired you are until you’re already driving. So many students stay up late for homework, sports, or jobs, and then they get behind the wheel thinking they’re “good enough.” But fatigue slows you down just like alcohol does. And of course, things like weed or “just one drink” can still mess with judgment and reaction time even if you don’t feel drunk or high. People underestimate that a lot. My mom was always really scared of this, and she still is, calling it her "worst nightmare," so she didn’t let me drive with friends or even family members for a long time. She didn’t trust other people’s driving, and she didn’t even let me get my license for at least a year after I turned 16 because she was so nervous about me getting into a crash.

Something that really shaped how I think about impaired driving happens at my school. Every four years, they put on a huge drunk-driving presentation for the entire school, like a full simulation with emergency vehicles, police, and even a fake crash scene. It’s dramatic on purpose, and honestly, it works. You can feel the whole mood shift. People go quiet, and even the students who act like they don’t care end up glued to it. Seeing “students” in the mock crash, watching the paramedics show how they’d respond, hearing the real 911 audio clips and stories from families, it sticks with everyone. It reminds you that impaired driving isn’t just something that happens in videos or other towns. It’s something that could involve people you know. That presentation has stayed with me way more than any worksheet or lesson ever could.

I think driver’s ed and traffic school really do have an important role in changing how people see impaired driving. But only when the class goes deeper than memorizing rules. The most helpful lessons I’ve had were the ones where we watched videos of real situations or heard actual stories from people involved in accidents, kind of like the school presentation, but on a smaller scale. Those moments make things feel real instead of just something you check off on a to-do list. It hits differently when you see what impairment actually looks like or how fast things can go wrong. Good programs also teach you how to think ahead, like noticing when you’re getting tired or stressed, or making a plan before you go somewhere. It’s not just about teaching you how to pass a test, but how to be a responsible driver in real life.

And honestly, I think most people’s attitudes around impaired driving change when they feel personally connected to it. When someone realizes it’s not just a random statistic, it’s something that could affect their family, their friends, or someone they sit next to in class. That’s when making safe choices becomes more natural instead of something you have to force yourself to remember.

For me personally, I think the biggest role I can play is just being responsible and consistent. If I don’t drive tired, or distracted, or under the influence of anything, then I’m already reducing the risks for myself and for others on the road. But I also think my choices can influence the people around me. I’ve worked with kids a lot, teaching, tutoring, coaching, and nannying, and I’ve learned that people pay attention to what you do. If I’m serious about driving safely, maybe that encourages someone else to put their phone away or ask for a ride when they need one. And if I’m with someone who shouldn’t be driving, I want to be the person who actually says something instead of staying quiet.

In the end, impaired driving is something we can prevent, but only if we take it seriously and don’t assume it’s something that only “other people” do. It takes being honest with yourself, knowing your limits, and sometimes making choices that feel inconvenient in the moment. But it’s worth it. Because the decisions we make behind the wheel don’t just affect us, they affect everyone around us. And if I can do my part to keep myself and others safe, then that’s a responsibility I’m fully willing to take.