To me, impaired driving means operating a vehicle while doing anything—whether a substance, distraction, or physical condition—reduces a driver’s ability to make safe decisions. Many people misunderstand impaired driving because they often assume it only refers to alcohol or drugs, and they underestimate how everyday impairments like texting, fatigue, stress, or strong emotions can be just as dangerous. Even drivers who have completed traffic school may believe that impairment is something “other people” do, not recognizing how quickly their own judgment, reaction time, and attention can be compromised.

Today, the most common types of impairment include alcohol, drugs, texting and smartphone use, and fatigue. Alcohol and drugs slow your reaction time, reduce your focus, and impair decision-making, making it harder for drivers to recognize hazards or stay in their lane. A driver who is under the influence may fail to brake in time, misjudge a quick turn, or ignore road signs altogether. Drugs, including legal prescription medications, can be equally dangerous. Some medications cause drowsiness or delayed responses, yet drivers sometimes assume that because a doctor prescribed them, they are safe for normal activities—including driving. Texting and smartphone use take a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off driving—creating a situation where even a few seconds of distraction can result in a serious crash. Fatigue is just as dangerous, but is overlooked; many drowsy drivers fail to realize that being extremely tired can have the same effects of driving under the influence. All of these forms of impairment contribute to unsafe behavior, prevent drivers from responding quickly to hazards, and significantly increase the risk of collisions.

My understanding of impaired driving changed when a close family friend and her boyfriend were involved in a serious accident caused by a texting driver. The driver glanced down at their phone and was texting, but that moment was long enough to run into the back of the car my friend Blake was in and push her into the road full of ongoing drivers and have the car she was in get hit by a bus. Hearing the story firsthand at my field hockey practice made the issue real in a way that statistics never could. Although in the back of my head I know that someone I have loved and adore passed away from something completely preventable, I believe it gave my teammates and coaches an awareness to knowing you could be an active and aware driver, others may not be so, educating drivers on the risks could help our society as a whole. It showed me that impaired driving is not always a dramatic or intentional choice—it can be a small lapse that permanently changes someone’s life. Since then, I have made a personal commitment never to use my phone while driving, and I hold myself accountable for staying focused and aware every time I’m behind the wheel.

Driver’s education and traffic school programs can play a powerful role in changing attitudes toward impaired driving if they move beyond just teaching laws and memorization. The most effective programs make students understand the real-world consequences of impairment by including survivor stories, driving simulators, and hands-on learning experiences. When drivers are emotionally connected to the reality of impaired driving—and see how their choices affect real people—they are more likely to carry those lessons with them long after the class ends. By showing not just what the rules are, but why they matter, education can prevent future tragedies before they happen.

On a personal level, I believe that every driver has a role in preventing impaired driving, and I take that role seriously. I have committed to not driving distracted, to planning ahead when I am tired or stressed, and to speaking up when I see unsafe behavior. I encourage friends and future drivers to use hands-free features, put phones out of reach, sleep before driving, and never get behind the wheel when impaired. I also always offer to be a designated driver when needed and never hesitate to suggest alternative transportation if someone is not in a safe condition to drive. Even small actions—like refusing to ride with someone who is impaired or reminding a friend to stay off their phone—can influence others to make better choices. Through responsibility, education, and setting an example, I hope to contribute to a safer driving culture where people take impairment seriously before a tragedy has time to occur.