“I know, I know.”  That is all you will hear from a new driver when an experienced driver tries to correct or inform them about their driving skills or lack thereof. But do they REALLY know? Absolutely not. The ink is barley dry on their permit or license, and they think they know everything about the roads, parking, laws etc. They think that  because they have been in the backseat witnessing their parents’ skills all their lives, they think this is law. This ignorance is what contributes to impaired driving. Scanning the road and surrounding areas can and will keep a new driver safe. Hidden hazards that can appear at any given time and cause severe damage or injury. Watching out for the crazies is what my mom always tells me. They are not paying attention. You must pay attention to everything around you. Constantly looking in your mirrors. Watching out for the motorcycle weaving in and out of traffic. The car  that is tailgating another car. That tractor trailer drifting over the lane because he is tired and trying to make his delivery on time. 

Impaired driving is not driving with full attention to the roads and what is going on around you. Impairment can come from alcohol, drugs, texting, playing with the radio, talking to people in your car or being tired. Driver’s education only skims over impaired driving. Young drivers don’t understand the impact this can have, they think impaired driving is only being drunk or high on drugs. Young people are great at multitasking so they think they can do this behind the wheel. Texting and driving take your eyes off the road. That split second can be deadly. Drugs and alcohol will impair all your senses and slow down your concentration and  reaction time. Being tired is just as dangerous as being drunk. Your eyes get heavy. Your reaction times are reduced, and it can have deadly consequences. 

Drivers’ education and traffic school courses can help change the attitudes about impaired driving to new drivers by making it more real. I suggest as part of the curriculum, all students need to watch videos or news coverage of real accidents that happened due to impaired driving. The classes should also have simulators in them. Whether it’s an actual simulator that you sit in or a VR headset. These tools will simulate the student being drunk, high or tired. They will get to see how hard it is to control the car and see what happens when you aren’t in control. Guest speakers from local law enforcement, hospitals, funeral directors, and people who have been affected by impaired driving should also be a part of the curriculum. They can share personal stories and testimonials about what they have experienced. 

Each driver holds a personal responsibility to commit to safe driving. A zero-tolerance policy for drugs, alcohol and texting must be adhered to when behind the wheel. New drivers should have dash cams installed in their vehicle both inside and outside of the vehicle. These would help take ownership and know that they are being watched at all times. This can also keep them safe if someone else on the road isn’t being safe and hits them. Establish an open line of communication between your friends and friends who drive. Everyone needs to hold one another accountable. Nobody wants anything bad to happen to their friends. They can create a group and agree to zero tolerance. Or create a social group where they can keep tabs on one another and cheer each other on for doing the right thing. 

Over the summer my friend made the mistake of drinking and driving. He is under 21 and so was everyone in the car. I am unsure of the details of how he crashed but the car flipped over. They were all incredibly lucky that no one was hurt or worse. It was a wakeup call for him, and it really scared me and made  me fearful of getting my license right away. 

I play a huge role in preventing impaired driving. It starts with paying attention in drivers’ education class. Asking questions,  taking it seriously. Practicing driving as much as possible in every scenario, various weather conditions, nighttime, heavy traffic etc. Every time I get into the car it is my responsibility to keep myself and those around me safe at all times. I am in a 3,000-pound bullet. I will never drive if I haven’t gotten enough sleep the night before. I will make sure that I allow myself enough time to leave and get to my destination without being late or rushed. Driving is a privilege and not a right. We need to treat it like that.