Is a text message worth taking someone's life? Hopefully your answer is NO every time, but many people are still willing to take the risk. Thousands of deaths per year are a result of impaired driving, and yes distracted driving falls under this subcategory.  Impaired driving is putting a selfish desire above the wellbeing of people around you. It means making a conscious choice to risk dire consequences for momentary reward. Oftentimes impaired driving is wrongfully misunderstood as only driving under the influence. Without realizing the danger of their actions, distracted or fatigued drivers are considered impaired As well. Moreover, the most common type of impaired driving surprisingly is not driving under the influence; it’s distracted driving, more specifically texting while driving. The text that couldn't wait, or the urge to skip a song that instant, could cause irreversible damage. There is no reason to risk driving distracted when there is life on the line. 

Fortunately, I have not personally experienced the fatal effects and incidents of this nature can cause; I have heard many depressing tales. One that has replayed in my mind numerous times is the story of Deianerah Logan. Just like me, and most likely many others writing this essay, she was a senior in high school. On September 4th, 2012, Deianerah was scripting a text as she was speeding on her way home from school.  She was distracted and did not understand the risk behind her choices. The decision to send a text was the cause behind the car accident Deianerah passed away in. Furthermore, her father happened to be driving the same road and witnessed the wreckage of the accident before knowing of his daughter's death. This story, like many others, shows the impact impaired driving can have on the person who is impaired, along with their loved ones. If a text is not important enough to pull over for, it can wait to be sent. After hearing the story of Deianerah and many others, i feel the need to use my phone while driving begins to dissipate. I still have the choice, the ability to put my phone down before it is too late. Individuals who have driven impaired and faced the consequences can never go back in time and reverse their choices, so it is our job to make the decision they couldn't.  

The effects of impaired driving are lasting and unforgiving. A way to truly understand these impacts is to participate in driving/ traffic school. I began to understand impaired driving to a completely different extent after visiting a driver's education class. There were many activities such as drifting and learning how to handle unsafe conditions, but one of the things that stuck with me was the discussions about impaired driving. We watched heart breaking videos which put me on the verge of tears. It was a complete mindset shifter hearing the stories of those at fault. The amount of regret they hold towards their actions speaks to how one desicion can change your life permanently. Programs such as the one that i visited help individuals to take a second and reevaluate before driving impaired. Every time that we decide not to drive impaired we are literally saving lives. Even though there is no way to prevent all impaired driving, individually we can make an impact. Whether it be aware of when we are impaired, or spreading knowledge about the consequences of impaired driving, there is a way for everyone to help in the effort. To help prevent impaired driving i will continue to tell others the stories I've heard. Most importantly I will always make the choices many people wish they had, before it is too late. 

In conclusion, anybody can help in the effort to prevent impaired driving. Every time someone gets in the driver's seat, they have a choice to get a ride if they are impaired. Slowly as awareness spreads, we can work together to create a safer road space. Prevention starts small, knowing when you are impaired is the first step. Unfortunately, impaired driving is often misunderstood, which puts individuals at risk. Driving schools help people to understand the true meaning of impaired driving. Along with word-of-mouth driving school plays a large part in impaired driving prevention. Sadly, multiple lives are lost per day to the negligence of one individual. We owe it to the individuals who have been impacted previously (like Deianerah Logan), to avoid impaired driving. Overall, it is important that as a society we are aware of the impacts and implications of impaired driving, so that we can work to combat it.