By Sloan Brodersen – Newton, Iowa

 

When I hear the phrase “impaired driving,” I think about how easily one moment of poor judgment can change someone’s life forever. To me, impaired driving means getting behind the wheel when your body or mind isn’t in the right state to drive safely. That could mean being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but it could also mean being distracted, emotional, or even just exhausted. It’s any time you can’t give your full attention to driving—and it’s often misunderstood, even by people who should know better.

 

Growing up in Newton, Iowa, driving has always been part of everyday life. Whether it’s heading to school, work, or just to the next town over, being able to drive gives us independence. I still remember how proud I was the day I got my driver’s license. But I’ve also realized that driving is not just a privilege—it’s a serious responsibility. Every time I get behind the wheel, I’m responsible not only for my own safety but for the safety of everyone else on the road. That’s something I’ve come to understand more deeply as I’ve gotten older.

 

When most people think of impaired driving, they picture drunk driving. We’ve all seen the commercials, the crash re-enactments, and the statistics. In high school, I watched a mock car crash before prom, where students acted out what happens after a drunk driving accident. Even though it was staged, it felt real—and it stuck with me. But even with all that education, some people still believe that “a few drinks” won’t hurt. That’s where I think misunderstanding begins. People don’t realize that alcohol impairs your brain before you even feel “drunk.” It affects your coordination, your ability to focus, and, maybe most dangerously, your judgment. You might think you’re fine to drive when you’re actually putting everyone at risk.

 

But alcohol isn’t the only cause of impairment. Drugs, both legal and illegal, can also make driving unsafe. Some prescription or over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness or slow reaction times, but people often ignore those warnings. Marijuana use is also becoming more common, and some people think it’s “safer” than alcohol. The truth is, anything that changes your mental state can affect how you drive. I think that’s why impaired driving is so often misunderstood—because people don’t see how many different forms it can take.

 

Another kind of impairment that I’ve personally experienced is fatigue. As a high school senior, life can get hectic. Between studying, sports, working part-time, and applying to college, there are nights I barely sleep. There have been times I’ve driven when I was so tired I could feel my eyes getting heavy. Looking back, I realize that was just as dangerous as any other kind of impairment. Fatigue slows reaction time and makes it harder to pay attention, just like alcohol does. I’ve learned to recognize when I’m too tired to drive and that it’s okay to ask for help or take a break.

 

Then there’s distraction, which might be the most common type of impairment for my generation. Our phones are with us all the time, and it’s so tempting to check a text or skip a song while driving. I’ve caught myself doing it before, and I’m not proud of it. It only takes a few seconds of looking down for something terrible to happen. Now I make a point to silence my phone and put it out of reach before I start driving. No message or notification is worth risking a life—mine or anyone else’s.

 

So, why is impaired driving misunderstood, even by people who’ve gone through driver’s education or traffic school? I think it’s because people tend to think in extremes. They imagine an “impaired driver” as someone stumbling drunk, not as a tired student or a distracted parent. We underestimate how easily our focus can slip. Sometimes, people think that as long as they “feel okay,” they must be fine to drive—but impairment isn’t always something you can feel. It can sneak up on you, especially when you’re used to multitasking or pushing through tiredness.

 

As I prepare to go to college and study to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), the idea of impairment takes on even more meaning for me. In healthcare, being alert and precise is everything. A single mistake made while distracted or fatigued can have serious consequences for a patient’s life. Driving is similar—it requires attention, responsibility, and respect for how much is at stake. I see a direct connection between how I drive and how I want to live my life: making thoughtful, careful choices that protect the people around me.

 

To me, impaired driving isn’t just about breaking the law—it’s about breaking trust. When someone drives impaired, they’re gambling with their life and with the lives of others. I never want to be the reason a family gets bad news or a friend doesn’t make it home. That’s why I’ve made a personal commitment to never drive under any kind of impairment—whether that means not drinking if I’ll be driving, pulling over when I’m tired, or keeping my phone put away.

 

I believe the best way to stop impaired driving is through understanding, not just rules. It’s easy to say “don’t drink and drive,” but it’s harder to truly recognize what impairment looks like in all its forms. It starts with each of us being honest about our limits and making smart choices. I hope to carry that mindset into college and beyond, both as a student and one day as a healthcare professional.

 

In the end, impaired driving means driving without your full focus, clarity, or control—and that’s something I never want to risk. Life is too precious, and the road is too unpredictable, to take chances like that. Every safe decision matters, and I plan to keep making them—for myself, for my family, and for everyone I share the road with.  Thank you for your time and consideration.