“More than 13,000 people die each year in car crashes that are caused by impaired driving” said the robotic voice that played in my headphones. I only had a few videos left in order to finish my driver’s education program, and then I could finally be behind the wheel. I counted the seconds until I could finally acquire the freedom that came with driving.

I let the video run in the background, barely paying attention, until the next one started to play. It wasn’t until I heard the narrator mention a documentary about a girl who was hit by a drunk driver - Jacqueline Saburido - that I really started to listen. I’d heard the stats a thousand times, but seeing her face on the screen made it feel real. Her skin was burnt, and her face was nearly unrecognizable. As she told her story, I couldn't look away. For the first time, I realized that one irresponsible choice could destroy not only your own life, but the lives of others. These statistics weren't just numbers, but people.

As I watched Jacqueline’s story unfold, I realized that impaired driving isn't just about what happens when you are behind the wheel, but it’s about the decisions you make before you even enter the vehicle. It’s a choice to drive after drinking, a choice to text a friend while moving, and a choice to get behind the wheel when you’re exhausted. Any of these decisions could put not only yourself in grave danger, but others as well. 

Even drivers who’ve completed a driver’s education program can easily look over this. I used to think that as long as I followed the rules and did not speed, I’d be fine. The decisions you make, however, can have devastating consequences. Impairment isn’t always obvious, and it doesn’t always have to involve alcohol or drugs. It can be fatigue, distraction, and even poor judgment. These things seem harmless, but are quite the contrary when it comes to driving. 

Alcohol and drug usage are the most common among drivers in today’s society. Even small amounts can cloud your judgement and rational thinking skills – both of which are extremely important in order to safely drive. The effects of alcohol and drugs can lead drivers to take risks, and make decisions that they would never even consider if they weren't intoxicated. The consequences that come with these choices are serious, and should not be taken lightly. Jacqueline Saburido’s story made me realize how quickly a single poor decision can change lives forever.

As I watched Jacqueline’s story, it felt relatable. She was just another young girl, trying to navigate her life, going to school, making plans for the future - just as I am thinking about college and what the future holds for me. Someone’s bad decision however, changed her life permanently. For the first time impaired driving truly hit me on a personal level. Before that, I had seen the commercials, taken the tests, and completed videos in driver’s education, but it all felt abstract, and unlikely to happen. Seeing her face, the burns from the crash, and hearing her describe the pain and turmoil, made the consequences feel real in a way numbers never would.

After that, I’ve been more aware of what I’m doing when I’m in a car. Not checking my notifications, or driving when tired, but staying alert and ready to drive defensively. It wasn’t about passing the driver test for me anymore, it was about understanding the real consequences that a momentary mistake could lead to.

Drivers education programs are often viewed as things that everyone just had to get through. The monotonous videos, and tedious rules seemed uninteresting at times. The information that actually sticks are the moments that feel real, like the documentary I watched. Those are the things that make you stop and actually think about what it means to drive. Driver’s education programs work best when it shows the actual impact of people’s choices, not just the rules you’re required to follow. As Benjamin Franklin so beautifully states, “Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other”. When driver’s education uses real examples, like stories, it becomes harder to dismiss impaired driving as something that only happens to “other people.” Instead, it becomes clear how quickly an ordinary decision can turn into something far more serious and possibly fatal. 

My part in preventing impaired driving comes down to speaking up when it matters, and making the right decision. If a friend I’m with isn’t in the proper condition to drive, I can step in, offer another option, or get someone else involved. By understanding how serious the consequences can be makes it easier to stand up for what’s right. While I can not control the actions of others, I can help influence them in the right direction, just as Benjamin Franklin suggests. Whether I’m helping a friend make the right decision, or I’m making it on my own, it's always important to keep the consequences of impaired driving in mind. Before you get behind the wheel, always remember that you have a choice, so make the smart one.