Many people may think of impaired driving as being affected by alcohol or other illicit substances, but many forget about the danger of today’s modern addiction: Cell phones.  We live in a society where we are expected to respond immediately, so when we hear a message come up on our cell phones, we look over out of habit. I have personally experienced hearing a text message alert and I have been tempted to glance down to see who was trying to get ahold of me.  Even this short of a diversion from our eyes being on the road can—and does—have terrible effects on the safety of ourselves, our passengers, and the people around us.  Phones aren’t the only causes of potentially unsafe driving behaviors.  Have you ever been driving down the road and saw someone in another car eating or applying makeup? That driver was driving while distracted. Many drivers don’t understand that impaired driving does not only mean driving while under the influence of a substance. Impaired driving means anything that distracts from attention or safety; a loud radio, talking with friends in the backseat, or even just hearing the ding of a smartphone notification, all elicit reactions which are distracting for someone who is driving.

What new drivers may not realize is how many things can be distractions. Distractions are so prevalent that we are constantly at risk of slipping into impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 3000 people were killed by distracted driving in 2023.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also says that texting is the most dangerous distraction. “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds”, it warns, “ at 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”  New drivers may not be aware that such a “quick” activity, one that they are used to doing countless times every day, could cause them to swerve, not notice the car in front of them braking, or not notice a bicyclist that just pulled up next to them.

In 2022, when I was fourteen years old, my mom had to take a diversion course due to being pulled over for texting while driving. Her experiences in this course, the stories she heard, and the videos she watched had a large impact on her, which she shared with me through the terrifying statistics she learned and descriptions of the videos and PSAs she had to watch. After completing the diversion course, I saw an immediate change in my mom’s driving.  This showed me that even people who have driven for years can improve and become a more safe and less distracted driver. Furthermore, my mom had this experience before I started learning how to drive. This was beneficial for me because I would have this critical information before ever getting out on the road, so I would know from the start how to keep myself and others safe. 

Diversion courses such as the one my mom attended have the opportunity of a captive audience, one to inform and to impart caution onto. They may use this time to bring in real victims of impaired driving to share their stories and to show firsthand what happens when one is distracted while operating a motor vehicle.  Driver’s education courses also have the ability to proactively communicate the importance of safe driving because many of these courses are designed for students who are learning to drive.  Providing important insights and statistics to new drivers is an important way to ensure they learn to drive using safe habits.  

My younger sister is learning how to drive, so my mother and I are using our knowledge of safe driving skills and habits to keep her safe as she learns such a valuable yet dangerous skill as driving. We ensure she understands that driving a car is an important responsibility, and staying focused on the road will help keep her and her fellow drivers safe.  In addition, I am usually the one who is available to drive her around or to her friends’ houses, occasionally with a few of her other friends in tow as well, so I am aware of what a large influence I am on her.  I ensure that I demonstrate safe driving habits, including not listening to the radio loudly and keeping my eyes on the road.  Sometimes my sister will tell me that I didn’t stop quick enough or I didn’t use my turn signal, so at least I know she is paying attention!

Impaired driving is something that impacts us all.  Even the safest driver can unintentionally become impaired if they get too comfortable behind the wheel.  Those drivers applying their mascara or eating a burger can easily drift into someone’s lane and cause an accident.  We all need to learn to be diligent about safe driving behaviors, from the first moment we sit behind the wheel and for many years after.