There are millions of teen drivers now adays. And I’ve heard a lot about accidents that were caused by any impairments.  Impaired driving could do many things in many different contexts, to me, impaired driving is anything having to do with distractions or being unfocused while driving. For example, is had nothing to do with disabilities or health, it has to do with if you’re being safe while driving. Not texting and driving, not having the music up to loud, not having direct conversations with those in the car with you, not taking drugs or drinking alcohol beforehand, etc. Many people who pass drivers training don’t understand why these examples could be impairments, due to them seeing guardians and trusted ones do the same while driving and not get into an accident. But this is because those people are most likely expert and experienced drivers, while new drivers are just learning how to focus on so many things at once. With having extra people, objects, and things to focus on; new drivers aren’t focusing on all the task at hand, which is to be a safe driver on the road. Then adding drugs and alcohol to the mix, people get tipsy and those things start to alter what people see or how they think. Causing a huge distraction or impairment to themselves and the people around them. 

I think the hugest distraction for drivers today is when they have people with them, and of course their phones. I’ve seen it in the school parking lot where people get into accident just because they’re messing around with their friends. I’ve also seen many people get into accidents in the parking lot due to phone usage, as well as seeing it on the road from adults. With phones such a vital part of people lives, it’s necessary for some to check their messages when they hear it, and that can cause many accidents even when you just take a sneak peek. So much can happen in just five seconds when you take your eyes off the road. You can always take a sneak peek at your phone at a stop light even though it's not advised, but if it's in an emergency it's better than looking or texting while driving. 

When I was in drivers training, my instructors told us many stories about their loved ones who had accidently participated in impaired driving. One of the sons of the instructors was driving around at night with his friends in High School. They were talking and having a great time, until the driver was so focused on the conversation that he swerved into the other lane of on-coming traffic. Being hit by a car and tumbling over and over into the ditch on the side of the road. Sadly, two of the people had died and leaving one person in a wheelchair. I think being told or shown stories like these in drivers training can help show new drivers what it’s like to not be focused on driving. It may be uncomfortable to hear or watch but it could help save many lives in the process. Showing new drivers what getting into an accident looks like, and what it could look like for other people around them. Showing them the consequences of unsmart actions, and the possible lifelong consequences could change how they felt about the situation now that they understand what could happen. 

When I was learning to drive my parents drilled it into my head that I would get in serious trouble for texting while driving. So, my solution is having my brother read my texts and text for me so I can focus on driving. He also changes my music for me, reads me directions etc. But when he’s not in the car I have google maps talk for me on the speaker, I make a designed playlist for when I drive that helps me stay away and focused. And I never ever text and drive. I never have my music too loud where I’m not able to focus or hear things around me. I know to never take drugs for me health and others, and I never drink. I want to continue participating in safe driving, so the people I’m driving with are safe, my family is safe, and my friends are safe. I will continue to follow the driving laws as well as not having impairments in the car with me.