Dark clouds were scattered across the sky. Raindrops hit the ground with loud, large plops all within hissing wind. My parents were yelling at me because we had gotten into a huge fight and I didn't even really know what it was about. And to make things worse; I had to go to school. Yay. What a wonderful start to my morning, and just when things couldn't get much worse, I started my car, and my gas tank was nearly empty. I wouldn't have had enough gas to get me to school, back home, and then to work right after. So, with tears rolling down my face, and intense rain hitting my car, I head to the gas station before school. I hurry up and get gas, knowing I can't be late for school. And right before I leave the gas station, I get a text from my parents. They kept trying to continue our fight over text, so I'm still overly upset, and I hop in the car. I start driving and I can barely see my surroundings and all I could think about is why my parents were mad at me.  I was so distracted by my thoughts, and it didn't help that the rain was rushing into my windshield, my windshield wipers were moving at a rapid speed, unable to keep up. I'm rushing to school when all of the sudden, it appeared out of nowhere. A car. 

 

Squeeeaaal goes my brakes!

I managed to stop probably less than 2 inches before almost hitting the car in front of me. 

 After this moment, I stopped and had to take a breather, I could have almost just died. So when asked what I consider distracted and impaired driving, I think of that morning because I wasn't on my phone, I wasn't under the influence of any drugs, alcohol or substances but I was just a few seconds away from a horrendous disaster. My emotions had taken the wheel. So, while the technical definition, that everyone is taught, of Impaired Driving according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is “when someone operates a vehicle while impaired by substances such as marijuana, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and/or alcohol” it is not the entire definition but only an example. Impaired driving includes anything that distracts you from the road, whether it is substances like drugs and alcohol or in my case, my emotions and indirectly my phone.  

These issues while driving don't just affect me, it affects others who also struggle with these habits everyday as well as the drivers on the road at the same time. So, we consider all possible aspects of impaired driving, driving courses and schools are able to spread awareness and implement the concept that impaired driving isn't just alcohol or drugs, but anything that is a distraction from the road. Many will say this won't be a successful route because awareness does not equal safety, but if we are repeatedly exposing people to safety protocols that prevent distraction and expose them to real-world examples like mine, we can create a community of self aware people and even if every person doesn't take safe measures, most will.

Now I don't plan on becoming a drivers ed teacher, because it's not my passion but that doesn't mean I can't help build a safe, unimpaired driving through other ways. One of the biggest ways I will contribute is through modeling it. Not only does practicing safety put all other drivers on the road at less of a risk, it also is an example for my peers, family members, friends, and anyone that gets into a car with me. I can be the role model they need and be a representation of what to do. Not only can I practice safe procedures but I can also share stories with others that spread awareness-like the one I shared with you today. Now this won't have a huge impact if I do it alone, but if everyone starts to do it, then we will have a bandwagon effect leading to a safe, aware community. 

So, while I admit that, I haven't always been a safe driver, my experiences on the road have made a lasting impact on me, and given me a reason to become a safe driver, so even though impaired driving is everywhere caused by so many different things, with the right preparations we as a whole can create a safer undistracted community.