About 37% of people in America die each day in impaired driving car crashes. That equates to one alcohol impaired driving fatality every 39 minutes. Too many people in this world are driven by ignorance, selfishness, and arrogance about the dangers of impaired driving. Thousands of people suffer as a result of the foolishness of others' behavior. But this data doesn’t make up all of the suffering, mourning, and damage that happens before and after, behind the scenes of all accidents that occur. Neither does it define all of the lifelong mental effects that individuals will and have faced. To fully understand impaired driving, we must delve into its root causes, side effects, and tackle the misunderstandings.

First and foremost, Impaired driving overall means not being fully aware of your surroundings while on the road. What many people get wrong about impaired driving is that it only occurs in people who are under the influence of drugs. However, this is not the case. Impaired driving, in general, can also occur without the use of any drugs. Most drivers overlook the meaning of “Impaired driving” and don’t bother to look deeper into the topic. The fact is that little things, such as being on your phone while driving, can also count as impaired driving. Studies show that 26% of  U.S. drivers regularly text while driving. Some reports indicate that nearly 30% of drivers aged 18-64 read or send texts while driving. Texting and driving is the same as being under the influence of alcohol; you’re not fully in touch with reality and are half paying attention, which can lead to an accident just as bad as drunk driving. 

The most common types of impairment today are caused by alcohol, legal, or illegal drugs, texting and driving, a medical condition, or fatigue. People who use any type of drug are automatically at risk of experiencing the following side effects: dizziness, dependence, mood swings, mental health issues, psychosis, and insomnia. A person who drinks alcohol, for example, builds up an addiction that can seriously harm their mental well-being. Any type of drug alters brain function in ways that slow down reaction times and alter judgment. Statistics report that over 12.6 million people in the US reported driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs.

People often underestimate drug side effects and overlook these side effects, which can lead to such accidents.  

Many drivers who are frequent drug consumers become arrogant and make empty promises to use drugs and drive under restrictions. Studies show that 29% of drivers aged 15-20 who were killed in car crashes were killed due to drinking and driving. This is the tragedy for many young adults and teens today. Young people often misunderstand and are swayed into being under the influence of drug use. Most aren’t properly educated in these types of topics, which leads to accidents in our community. Millions of families are affected by these types of accidents that occur daily.

Why is this the case, however, that teens are drinking and driving at a young age and getting themselves killed? We understand that drinking and driving have a root cause. Most of the root causes of any drug use can be due to mental health issues. Studies show that 45% of people with substance use disorder have co-occurring mental health issues, and 38% of people use it as a coping mechanism. People who have any type of drug addiction also suffer from past traumas, whether that includes abuse or the death of a family member. It’s a detrimental cause for the loss of lives caused by another person’s issues. People who are frequent drug users may not understand the causes of drug abuse in their own lives or in another person’s life. 

Another reason for impaired driving is due to curiosity and ignorance of the dangers of driving impaired. A story that moved me the most was the story of a 16-year-old named Valentina. Valentina was on her way to her best friend’s house for a “Girl’s Night”. Her friend was then invited to a kickback party. Later on, her friend got drunk while driving Valentina home. On the way home, the driver was challenged to a street race. They traveled at high speeds, ran a red light at an intersection, and hit an SUV on Valentina’s side. Valentina was later pronounced dead.

That story moved me for several reasons, but the main one was because of the driver’s actions. People tend to become curious, especially teenagers, and they end up getting carried away with their behavior. This story taught me two things: To be more cautious of the decisions you make, and that teens are more prone to making irresponsible and also dangerous decisions. When someone is behind the wheel. They aren’t just doing simple actions on the road; they are making life-changing choices for each direction they go. Driving isn’t the same as it is in games like GTA, where you can get away with anything, die, and then respawn. Your responsibility as a driver can extend someone’s life or end it.

This story made me more aware of my actions. I understand that if I were to make a careless mistake, I could end up dead, paralyzed, or disabled. And in worst cases, pass it on to someone else. My entire role is to set an example. While everyone is out, having fun and getting drunk, I set an example for everyone else in and outside the car. And because of that role, I can change lives and inspire others. I didn’t learn how important driving was until one day, my Uncle let me drive his car behind his house. I could never imagine myself driving recklessly and injuring myself and others.

The number one thing to help people avoid such accidents is to take a driver's education. Traffic school is absolutely beneficial in providing the right education in driving for all aspects of the car and the road. Not all people are educated properly about driving, which is why they end up getting hurt in an accident and hurting others. People who have had trauma do not take the time to think about the dangers of drug use and only want an escape from reality. However, driving classes allow students to learn about the effects of drug use, which provides a life-changing opportunity to live a fruitful driving lifestyle instead of becoming another number in the statistics. One can become informed about the dangers of the road and save millions from trauma.