Our lives can change in the blink of an eye, for the batter or the worse. With these instances can come changes we can never prepare ourselves for. Driving is one of those moments where we could lose it all as quick as the snap of a finger. I often find myself wondering how so many drivers managed to acquire their licenses with their actions on the road, whether it be sporadic lane changes as they weave in and out of traffic, vulgar shouting and disrespectful gestures, or even just blatant disregard for other drivers on the road. While all these cause distractions and dangers on the road, none of these come close to the threat of impaired driving. With nearly 34,000 lives lost each year in just the US alone, casualties as a result of major conflicts pale in comparison to the ever growing total of deaths related to motor vehicle crashes. Impaired driving continues to take the lives of those close to us and leaves lasting grief and all who mourn the loss of their loved ones.

So what even is impaired driving? The most recognizable forms that get listed off are: under the influence of alcohol, Fatigued, and momentary distractions. While all these are major factors and contributors to impaired driving, impaired driving is anything that can make driving dangerous and can include even medical factors. Impaired driving is so much more than taking illegal substances and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Our emotions can even cause impaired driving. A really bad day at work and a head full of thoughts can make our day become even worse when we no longer find ourselves in safe situations. 

  Impaired driving leaves unintentional lasting effects on those involved. My mother is super strict about rules in her car, and for good reason. There isn’t an option to go anywhere without a seatbelt, even if it’s just a few blocks away. She lives with the continued traumatic memory of one of her best friends being killed in a collision between her car and another vehicle operated by a distracted and tired driver. The one time she didn’t have the protection of a seatbelt, it led to her untimely death. Maybe if the other driver wasn’t impaired, she could’ve lived another day to remember the importance of seatbelts, maybe she could’ve lived to raise a family. This story continues to stick with me. The importance of being fully aware while driving to not put other’s lives and risk and the importance of safety protection provided.

I’ve only had my license for a couple of years now and not all of the lessons I learned have stayed with me. The importance of remaining off the road while impaired happens to be one of those. The effects of impaired driving are often rushed over and you are told to not drive impaired, that’s about it. The significance of this very topic is not nearly expressed as much as it should be. The amount of time spent studying the shapes and colors of road signs seems to be such a waste when you learn of the dangers of impaired driving. Revisions of the drivers education courses should include more in depth lessons on impaired driving, not to cause fear, but understanding. Impaired driving isn’t expressed as a big of an issue as it is made out to be. Impaired driving puts you and anyone else on the road at risk. The better everyone understands, the less likely they become to be the driver on the road that isn’t fully aware of what they’re doing.

I understand everyone has places they need to be, but alternate methods of transportation are feasible options. The potential dangers of fatigued driving should be taken into consideration before anyone steps into the driver's seat of a motor vehicle. I can’t bring myself to go anywhere when I’m not fully in control of my emotions or state of mind. In my rather short life experience and even less driving skill, it has become a priority when driving that I can have the mental focus in addition to full control over my emotions. I prefer not to be the one who makes someone’s day worse or causes an accident that has the potential to change lives for the worse. The best way to prevent impaired driving is to be the one willing to sacrifice a little time or put off a task until we know we can safely operate our vehicles again. The individual choices we make can help save the lives of others and inspire everyone else to do the same.