Almost everyone in their life is waiting for the joy they receive when getting their first car, but many of these people do not know the importance of impaired driving. So, what does impaired driving mean to me? It means the unsafety of a driver due to the loss of control over substance abuse, disability, or a distraction that can affect their ability to drive safely. Many underestimate the topic of impaired driving and why people may continue to drive a vehicle despite the risk they may cause themselves and others. While many people rely on only themselves and their ability to get from point A to point B, they should take into consideration the dangers they are at risk when driving a vehicle. will discuss what Impaired driving is and how its impaired driving is one of the most common forms of car accidents that happen across the United States. Lastly, I will provide an example of ways that others can learn what impaired driving is and ways to avoid it. 

Impaired driving comes in various forms, but the most common form of impaired driving is texting and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that over 3,522 lives in 2021 were lost when driving a vehicle because they were texting and driving. When a person is distracted or on their phone, their full attention isn't on the road, which can lead to major saftey issues like driving under the speed limit, missing a turn, or creating traffic or even death. It's very easy to take your eyes off the road, but what isn't easy is the effect it has on you and others around you, too. Many people who use their phones while driving shift their focus between their cellular devices rather than what is happening right in front of them. I know that you know someone who may be a person who gets easily distracted. If you do, you should inform them of the dangers that they are putting themselves in when they believe they can multitask. However, another form of impaired driving is being sleepy while driving. For example, driving while sleeping is extremely risky! It can mess up your ability to be aware of the road, your reaction time, and your decision-making. If you drive a vehicle, you may risk your life, and others may be injured.  

My friend Sarah believed that she was an excellent multitasker. One day, she took this as a challenge and began texting while on the way to work. But she immediately got distracted when she heard a buzz. She thought to herself, “I'll just glance,” she thought. But when she started texting quickly to get her focus back on the road. Sarah's reaction was delayed, and she crashed into the car in front of her. The car in front of her had stopped at the red light and had braked hard, but she had been unaware due to her attention being focused on her phone, other than the road and the car in front of her. Hearing this story about my friend made me more cautious about texting and driving, and whenever I am a passenger in a vehicle, I make sure that the driver has their full focus on the road rather than being distracted by their phones and loud music.  

Driver education and traffic schools are crucial for all young adults to be taught. Why, may you ask? Well, it teaches them at a young age way to cope in different situations on the road. When we begin to teach students at a young age, it is likely that they to be aware of their surroundings and how impaired driving may affect their ability to operate a vehicle themselves. For example, when a person takes a diverse education, they are likely to use the skills they learned while on the road. Having these classes will not only benefit young students but also others when driving a vehicle.  

As a student at Paramount High School, I can create a platform advocating for young teen drivers who are looking to find ways to learn ways to be safe on the road.  Upload information about the problems on our roads. Possibly lower the rate of death when driving a vehicle. Using my leadership skills, I know that having an effective plan to take action on the problem of unawareness when it comes to driving can make the plan more useful to my community and teach other communities to do the same.