The number one killer while driving is impaired driving. Impaired or distracted driving, to me means that there is an inability to concentrate on driving and therefore poses a risk to the drivers safety as well as others on the road. When most people think of driving impaired, they tend to think solely of drunk driving. However, there are so many more components that go into whether someone is driving impaired; such as fatigue and distracted driving specifically, cell phone use and passengers in the car. This is why it is commonly misunderstood and people aren't aware of the danger that they can present in a situation. One leading cause of Impaired driving is drunk driving. Drunk driving is commonly known as one of the major causes of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023 there were 12,429 deaths in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. That means that approximately every 42 minutes, someone is killed by irresponsible drunk driving. When under the influence, one's reaction time is immensely slower and cognitive function is greatly impaired. Another example of impaired driving is being fatigued. There are approximately 100,000 accidents per year in the United States associated with drowsy driving. How many times have you been driving on a long road trip and are abruptly brought back to focus by the rumble strips? Or how many times have you been coming home late at night from a long day and realize you've been driving on auto-pilot? It is times like this that we tend to forget the impact of not being focused on the road. Driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as drunk driving, your reaction times slows and it becomes difficult for you to concentrate and think clearly. When fatigued, your brain can go into uncontrolled "mircosleeps" in which your brain essentially shuts down for a few seconds. In just those few seconds, you could drift into another lane, miss a stoplight or fail to see a braking car in front of you. Phone distractions such as texting and driving also contribute to Impaired driving. In 2022, 368 deaths were caused directly by cell phone use and 400 fatal crashes were caused by texting. All it takes is one text, one notification, one second and someone's life is changed forever. People often underestimate the impact of taking your eyes off the road even only to send one text. I have personally witnessed how fast things can change when driving impaired. I was recently in a rear-end accident due to the person behind me being on their phone while driving. Thankfully, everyone involved was okay but it really was a reality check for all of us involved. Now I want to make sure everyone is aware of the effect they can have on others' lives when they get behind the wheel. I also am in EMT training and so we experience first hand varying levels of traumas resulting from impaired driving. People don't truly understand what is at stake until they are in or have personally been affected by impaired drivers. I believe that drivers education and traffic courses can impact how people view impaired driving. These courses better educate people on how to be a safe driver and the consequences of driving. If people could truly understand the impact of their decisions, I believe we would see a decrease in death that results from accidents. There are also several organizations that can help in times of need to keep people safe. Some organizations such as the SoberRide program provide free or low cost rides if you're under the influence. Everyone should be more aware of these tools to help keep everyone safe on the roads. Every time you get into a car, you must remember that other's lives are at stake and it's up to you whether they live to see another day or not. My life could be forever changed if I injure or kill another person while behind the wheel. A simple way to reduce the chances of impaired driving is putting your phone out of eye-site when driving or turning on Do Not Disturb, evaluating your level of cognitive function and calling a ride if you've had consumed alcohol or taken drugs. If choosing to drive impaired, you may have to live the rest of your life carrying around the weight of taking someone's life. Driving impaired will not only impact you but also the family members of the life you've taken forever. Remember the weight of the responsibility you carry and make your choices wisely.