- What does “impaired driving” mean to you? Why is it sometimes misunderstood, even by drivers who have completed driver’s education or traffic school?
- To me, impaired driving means driving under any unnatural conditions. This could be as simple as driving without glasses or any visual aids when you are fully aware that you have poor eyesight. And this could be as extreme as driving under the influence of substances like alcohol and drugs. I believe it's sometimes misunderstood by drivers because you usually don't get a thorough breakdown of things like this when learning to drive. Surprisingly, most of my peers are only familiar with the physical aspects of driving. They don't truly grasp the rules of the road, like who goes first at a four-way stop, and the courtesy of turning off high beams when facing oncoming traffic.
- What types of impairment, such as alcohol, drugs, texting, or fatigue, are most common among drivers today? How do they affect driving ability and contribute to unsafe behaviour?
- I would say people my age are most affected by texting. Generally, I would say that most people are affected by fatigue. The economy is honestly trash right now, and people are working well beyond their means. Texting is one of the biggest distractions drivers face on the road, and it can lead to fatal events. Drivers may unintentionally swerve or go off the road, or even skip a stop sign or run a red light, due to a distraction like texting. Fatigue is dangerous on its own, even when not driving. Alertness and reflexes are weakened from the state of exhaustion your body is in. Reaction time is also slowed. Pair this with driving at night, maybe after a long day at work, and it's a disaster cocktail.
- Have you ever experienced or heard a story that changed the way you think about impaired driving? How did it shape your awareness or influence the choices you make behind the wheel?
- I have, in fact, heard a story that changed the way I think about impaired driving. Local news covered a story about a mother of five who drove into a lake after falling asleep at the wheel following a long night shift. This mother just so happened to be the mother of one of my senior classmates from middle school. She was left to fend for herself and her many siblings, having to take on extra responsibilities before we even graduated from high school. The good news is I ran into her sometime after, and she seemed to be doing all right. However, this story stuck with me then because my grandmother had come too close to that story for my liking, given the job she used to work. And now that I am in the workforce, I, too, have had some close calls. It's truly eye-opening to see the impact fatigue has on a person's body.
- How can driver’s education and traffic school courses help change attitudes and behaviours around impaired driving? What makes these programmes effective in real-world situations?
- I personally had to watch two-hour-long videos in the driver's course I took to obtain my learner's permit. I can admit that I do share some grievances with the idea of how boring that may be for some, especially those on the neurodivergent side. But it made me aware of the dangers of the road. And it showed me that driving isn't all fun in games; it has a lasting impact on multiple lives every time you make a trip. I believe my experience and increased awareness demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs in real-world situations. For example, I obviously know not to drink and drive, but now I also know that the consumption rate and effect on the blood alcohol is different for everyone, and some may be affected more than others. It is good to be aware of your personal limitations with common impairment substances, even if you are not behind the wheel.
- What role can you personally play in preventing impaired driving? How could your knowledge or training influence others to make safer decisions?
I can ensure that myself and those in my close circle are smart about are driving. For example, we can take turns being designated drivers when going out. We can use a voice assistant on our phones when driving alone or have a trusted passenger nearby in case we need to access something on our phones. I was raised with the notion of always doing good and spreading positivity to those around me. I would like to think that displaying good driving traits and habits to those around me would lead them to do the same on their own as well. If that's not enough, I can definitely suggest better habits in a nice way.
Content Disclaimer:
Essays are contributed by users and represent their individual perspectives, not those of this website.
3 votes
An accident that made me aware that also time and impatience can be impairement
Karin Deutsch
