As responsible drivers, we know that driving is not to be taken for granted and it is a huge responsibility. A responsible driver is always looking out to do their best and to keep not only themselves and the people in their car safe, but also those around who are on the road. In California, knowing how to drive safely is not only something that can be seen as good but mostly something that can be seen as required. It is always unpleasant and unfortunate news to hear that someone has passed away when being behind the wheel whether it was their fault or not. Even if you consider yourself to be a “responsible driver” the roads are always dangerous due to the fact that we don't know if the person who is driving behind, in front, or next to you is also a responsible driver. For me, “ impaired driving” essentially represents someone who is being irresponsible while being on the road. Whether that means the impaired driver was under the influence, distracted, or running low on sleep, they, to me, are considered an irresponsible driver and person. The reason I consider impaired drivers irresponsible is due to the fact that if they were truly responsible, they would make sure to be one hundred percent ready and capable of driving and taking on this massive responsibility. To me, impaired drivers are usually people who tend to believe that driving is just for fun. These are the same people who tend to race with their friends just to see who’s car is faster. Or the people who want to speed just because they think they are “cooler” when doing so. I believe that impaired driving is sometimes misunderstood, even by drivers who have completed their driving education or traffic school due to the lack of awareness. Nowadays, people who are behind the wheel tend to have a lack of education regarding the norms for being able to drive on the road in the first place. It is especially seen in teenagers and early adults who are eager to get behind the wheel. They will take as little education just to say they drove. Essentially, they are careless. Fundamentally, it is that eagerness that causes accidents on the road when teenagers and early adults are driving. The reason for a car crash may not always be due to one being under the influence, distracted, or running low on sleep. It can also, and is mostly due to irresponsible people. Types of impairments that are among drivers today are, in my eyes, mostly due to texting and running low of sleep. Even though all impairments are a reasonable type of impairment, I feel as though these are the ones that are mostly at fault for crashes. In today's world we see that technology has become such a big issue. For that reason, every time there's a car accident it is mostly due to the fact that someone was texting or simply on their phone. I would say that addiction to technology is just as bad or even worse than addiction to alcohol or drugs. I feel this way because I tend to see this a lot in my family. Of course, not when it comes to driving but when it comes to the fact that they are actually addicted to their phones. Just like them, many people who are driving on the road have that tendency of grabbing their phone and going on it. As for running low on sleep, I too tend to see this a lot in my family. For instance, my brother who has a night shift tends to be extra tired on a daily basis. Not only is he working late at night, but he also goes to school early in the mornings. It is a danger to the world when he is driving home from work because he is running low on sleep. His barin isn’t entirely focused on the road but more so on the fact that he is tired and wants to rest. One time, when my dad, who woke up at four to go to work, was coming back from work and he was so tired that he began to steer the wheel in the wrong direction. Thankfully, when he heard the screech of the car against a rock, he woke up and drank cold water and an energy drink to help him make it home safely. Luckily, that was the first and last time that something like that ever happened to him. However, to this day I always think back to that moment and can't imagine how much that would have affected me now. It is that “what if” factor that keeps me up at night wondering what would have occurred if an accident happened and he wouldn't have made it out alive? It would affect my life in so many unimaginable ways. A role that I can play and prevent impaired driving will be to make sure that before I get behind the wheel and on the road, I am more than sure that I can drive safely. I will make sure I am fully rested, that I have the knowledge, and the responsibility to drive. It is especially important for me to keep others around me safe, as I’d feel rather guilty if an accident occurred due to my irresponsibility.