Impaired driving is when someone who is behind the wheel is not fully paying attention to the road. This could be from tiredness, getting distracted, texting or eating while driving, or even from the use of alcohol or other drugs. While some people think that they can overcome their impairment, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Many drivers underestimate how easy it is to be distracted or impaired while driving. Impaired driving can happen to anyone, and it is one of the main causes of crashes that could have been prevented. I learned this the hard way. I was stopped at a red light and something fell out of my backpack. I bent down for a very quick moment to pick it up, and in that split second, I accidentally rear ended the car that was in front of me. That small distraction was enough to cause an accident. I had all of my siblings in the car. Everyone was ok, and there was no damage to the car in front of me, but it was scary and my car sustained about $2000 worth of damages. I took my eyes off the road for just a quick second, and it led me to move my foot just enough to disengage the break and cause the accident. This showed me how quickly things can go wrong, even when you think you have everything under control. Since then, I’ve been much more aware of how even simple actions can impair my focus and put others at risk. I never take my eyes off the road now, never.

I often see people looking at their phones, eating, changing the radio, and other things while driving. Many drivers don’t realize how quickly these things can affect their judgment and reaction time. That is why learning about safe driving and understanding the dangers of it is so important. By understanding the risks, we can make better choices and help keep our roads safer for everyone.

Impaired driving matters because even small distractions can harm a driver’s judgment and lead to accidents that could have been prevented. My accident was completely preventable. Many people think they are still safe to drive even when they are tired, not fully focused, or in the zone. It only takes a small split second, however, for a mistake to happen. A tired or distracted driver may not notice a stop sign, a sudden change in traffic, or a person crossing the road. This is especially true when it is dark, foggy, or raining. Also, people tend to underestimate how much a drink of alcohol or use of marijuana may impair them. When someone is impaired, their reaction time slows down, and they can’t make quick decisions. These risks can be deadly. This is why it’s important for every driver to stay alert, be free from alcohol or other drugs, and pay attention to the road in front of them. By understanding how easily impairments can happen, we can all make smarter choices and help keep the roads safer for everyone.

Driver’s education and road school courses can help teach the importance of focus and change someone’s ideas and behaviors around impaired driving by teaching students how serious and dangerous it truly is. These classes show real examples of what could happen, by showing videos, and sharing facts on what could happen if someone drives while impaired or while distracted and not paying attention. When the students learn the consequences of what could happen, they are more likely to actually take the learning seriously and use it in their everyday life. Students might believe that they won’t die in an accident, but they might listen to how much an accident could cost. They might be more connected to learning about points on their licenses and the increase of their insurance premiums. This makes it much more real for the students and they learn from it. 

I remember watching a video while in driver’s education that showed a man being hit by a truck. It was disturbing and hit me hard, but I also thought, “that won’t happen to me.” Since then, I have seen accidents on the news, many that have involved teenagers. I wish that these realities could be communicated in a better way for all drivers, especially new ones, to take it seriously. I learned that it can and will happen to me if I am not vigilant in staying focused and minimizing any distractions that may impair me. I share this experience with my siblings and hope that they will stay safe and learn from my experience.