To me, “impaired driving” isn’t just a concept. It is a danger that can change lives in an instant. It means getting behind the wheel when your ability to think clearly, react quickly, or make safe decisions is compromised. Impairment does not only come from alcohol or drugs; it can also come from fatigue, distraction, or even stress. Many people, even those who have completed driver’s education, misunderstand it because they think impairment only applies to adults drinking or using substances. They do not realize that a simple moment of distraction, looking at a phone or losing focus, can have devastating consequences. For me, understanding impaired driving is personal because I lived it at just 13 years old.

The most common types of impairment today are alcohol, drugs, texting, and fatigue. Alcohol slows judgment and reaction time, drugs can distort perception, texting diverts attention completely, and fatigue makes reflexes slower and decisions poorer. Any of these can make one split-second decision the difference between life and death. Before it happened to us, I could read statistics about impaired driving and think, “That will never happen to me.” But nothing could have prepared me for witnessing the consequences firsthand.

My best friend, London Banks, and I were only 13 when it happened. We were walking together when a car hit her and then fled the scene. I was with her in the hospital, watching someone I loved struggle to breathe, move, and speak. At that moment, fear, shock, and helplessness overwhelmed me. Seeing her in pain, hooked up to machines, not knowing if she would be okay, was terrifying. Her first words after the accident, “Go ’Stros!” about her favorite baseball team, were a small spark of hope in the middle of so much fear. But even in that moment of hope, I realized how fragile life is and how quickly one careless choice behind the wheel can change everything for a young person. Being so young and facing something so serious made it impossible to forget. It shaped how I think about safety and responsibility every single day.

Driver’s education and traffic school help reduce impaired driving by showing us how different types of impairment affect our abilities and giving us strategies to avoid dangerous situations. They teach habits like planning ahead, using a safe ride, or taking breaks during long trips. These lessons are powerful, but living the consequences firsthand, seeing a friend nearly lose her life, made me understand why those lessons matter. Impaired driving is not just about breaking rules. It is about risking someone’s life, even if they are your age, even if they are just walking down the street.

Being only 13 when this happened made everything feel even more intense. At an age when most kids are just beginning to feel independent, we were faced with the harsh reality of how quickly life can change because of someone else’s careless choices. I realized that responsibility does not have an age limit. Even as kids, we can take actions that make a difference by looking out for our friends, speaking up when someone is at risk, and being aware of the dangers around us. Watching London fight to recover, seeing her courage and determination despite her injuries, taught me that safety is not just about rules or laws. It is about protecting the people we care about and understanding that even small decisions, like waiting until we are alert or avoiding distractions, can have a huge impact on lives. This experience made me more mature, more aware, and more determined to make responsible choices every day.

I know that even at 13, I can make a difference. I pay attention to my surroundings, avoid distractions, and encourage others to be careful and responsible. I speak up if I see a friend or family member in danger or about to make an unsafe choice. I share what I have learned, both from school and from London’s experience, so that others understand the real consequences of unsafe driving. Every action, no matter how small, can help protect lives.

Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths on the road, and it affects people of all ages. Even kids like us can feel the impact. Education, awareness, and conscious choices can reduce the risks, but it takes personal responsibility to make it real. Seeing London’s struggle and recovery has shaped how I approach safety, attention, and decision-making behind the wheel. Driving is not just about following laws. It is about being aware, careful, and protective of everyone around me. By committing to safe choices and helping others do the same, I hope to prevent tragedies, protect lives, and honor London’s courage. Her survival reminds me that even small, responsible choices can save lives and that no life, at any age, should ever be put at risk because of impaired driving.