I was born into a generation where we think impaired driving only means drinking under the influence, such as alcohol abuse or drug abuse. But when you really think about it, it is way more than that. Impaired driving encompasses everything at once. Impaired driving is when anything that can diminish someone's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Just because you did all your driving hours and took all the classes possible, even if you waited till you were much older than 16, doesn't mean that getting your driver's license gives you full range to go out and abuse your ability. Our generation grew up thinking impaired means alcohol or drugs. We never looked into it or took time out of our day to learn about it; we just went ahead and agreed with what people around us were saying. 

   Today, the most common types of impairment are alcohol, drugs, texting, and fatigue. Alcohol slows your reaction time and can blur your vision. Drugs, whether they are prescribed or not, can confuse and delayed reactions. Texting or using your phone while driving can distract your attention, making it nearly impossible to respond quickly to sudden changes in traffic. There are so many more words I can use to describe why you shouldn't be driving if you are impaired. There are so many factors that reduce the ability to perceive hazards, respond quickly, and make safe decisions. This generation needs to learn that we have such a short time here, and just to be safe, because you genuinely never know whether you're gonna get another chance. 

   A couple of years ago, my friend was driving home from dinner with her mom and two brothers. They ran a red light, and the person coming towards them crashed directly into the right side of the car where my friend was sitting. A couple of days later, I went into the hospital to visit her and found out she'll be in a coma for a couple of months, and I decided to ask the nurses what the cause of this crash was. She said the other driver was a 16-year-old without her driver's license and was texting while driving ." I broke down in tears right there. Then I ask "was there anything going on with her mom?" she said "oh i thought you knew, but yea her mom had been drinking the whole night and was drinking while driving as well." I didn't know what to do at that point. I left the hospital and just kept thinking to myself, Why would you put your kids in danger like that, even yourself? You don't just do that. And the fact that the other driver didn't even have a driver's license. I just never understood why they would put themselves or others in so much danger. Since that event, I've made it a priority to keep my phone off and not be disturbed while driving. And if I'm out with someone and they are under the influence in any way, I would take over and drive home. 

   I personally can help prevent impaired driving by modeling safe habits and sharing what I have learned. Even I refuse to drive when I'm exhausted, distracted, and/or under the influence. Just because you're not doing your best that day and are going through something in life doesn't mean you need to put your life or someone else's in danger. I encouraged all my friends, family, and anyone reading this to do the same. Knowledge and awareness are so necessary, especially in this generation, as some people don't always look into every problem. This is one you definitely should. Please practice safe driving. It can influence others to make more responsible choices, reducing accidents and saving lives. 

   In conclusion, impaired driving can go far beyond alcohol or drug use; it includes any factor that affects the driver's ability to make safe decisions. Fatigue, distraction, stress, and medications can all have hazardous outcomes. Like I said before, just because you've done your hours, passed all your driving tests, and graduated from school doesn't mean you're 100% ready to be out on the road, no matter how old you are or how long you've been driving. You don't honestly know what can happen out there ever. By modeling safe behavior and sharing this knowledge, we can all protect ourselves and everyone else on the road, proving that education, awareness, and personal responsibility are powerful tools to prevent impaired driving.