When I first heard the term “impaired driving,” I automatically assumed the term referred to people who were driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Little did I know, I am an impaired driver every time I sit behind the wheel, feeling fatigued. Impaired driving means operating a vehicle while your ability becomes compromised by alcohol, drugs (both legal and illegal), fatigue, and distractions like your cell phone. The thing about impaired driving is, even if people claim they “only had two drinks,” or they glanced at their phone for a split second, it can alter them or the people’s lives around them in a matter of seconds behind the wheel.

I think impaired driving is often misunderstood, even by people who completed their driver’s education or traffic school, because of the social and cultural norms tied to driving in modern day society. These norms are often idealized by society because of our need to fit in. They influence perceptions individuals have about impaired driving; for example, people often overestimate how frequently others drive impaired. This misunderstanding makes them think the behavior is more common than it is, leading them to justify their own actions. There are also many social norms that normalize the behavior of impaired driving, such as perceived acceptability. For example, an individual is more likely to drive while intoxicaed if they believe that their friends or family members support or participate in the practice. This could lead to peer pressure on oneself or make it seem like driving impaired is a norm that they must conform to.

Although it’s not the only one, alcohol is still one of the most prevalent impairments on the road. In fact, several other forms of impairment, such as drugs, texting, and exhaustion, are just as dangerous, if not more so. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness, confusion, or slower reflexes, but they are frequently disregarded when it comes to driving impaired. Recreational drugs also affect a person’s decision-making and reaction times, making it harder for them to drive safely. But the most common form of impairment today, especially in young drivers, is texting. I know many of my friends will text while driving, claiming it to be “just a quick message.” However, taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds could be disastrous. Then there is fatigue, which is frequently dismissed as not being as serious as drugs or alcohol. When I am tired, I realize that I am less alert and find it more difficult to concentrate on my surroundings and the road. Because fatigue slows reaction times and impairs judgement, it can affect driving just as much as being intoxicated. Let me repeat this. Being fatigued and behind the wheel can be just as dangerous as being behind the wheel intoxicated. It’s scary to think about this, but that just shows how much of an impact impaired driving can have on you and your surroundings.

Being in a band, I have, regretfully, had my fair share of moments behind the wheel, driving impaired. I remember one night I was driving back home from a football game, feeling exhausted. I was so tired, my head was throbbing. I kept telling myself I would be fine, and that home was just another ten minutes away, but as I kept driving, I almost dozed off at the wheel. That close call made me realize how dangerous driving while fatigued can be. I never really thought about how dangerous it could be until it almost happened to me. Now, after football games when I am too tired or don’t feel comfortable driving myself, I will call my mom to drive me home. I now know that even something as simple as not getting enough sleep or staying up too late can put myself or another person at risk.

Driver’s education and traffic safety courses can significantly reduce impaired driving because they help people understand how various impairments affect their driving. The laws, statistics, and consequences of driving while impaired, such as collisions, injuries, and even fatalities, are all covered in class. The programs emphasize the value of being conscious and responsible, as well as the necessity of not only abiding by the law but also being able to identify when we are impaired by either drugs, alcohol, or simply being exhausted or distracted. These programs are successful because they emphasize prevention and teach us how to make wise choices before we get behind the wheel. They encourage us to avoid risky behaviors, which can save lives.

As a young driver, I am aware that I have a part to play in preventing impaired driving. Whether it’s putting my phone away, getting enough sleep before driving, or speaking up if I witness someone else making a risky decision, it is important to make safe decisions for the betterment and safety of the roads. It could also be beneficial to share with my friends and family members the dangers of impaired driving. We are more likely to see a shift in attitudes and driving habits, the more we raise awareness of the risks associated with drunk driving. Every choice we make while driving has the potential to have a long-lasting effect, so it is our responsibility to ensure that we drive safely and assist others in doing the same.