Name: Taniya Lewis
From: White Plains, Maryland
Votes: 0
When I hear the phrase impaired driving, I don’t just think of statistics, laws, or warning signs on the highway. I think of my mom. She was the victim of a crash caused by someone she trusted, her own friend, who chose to drive while intoxicated. That decision forever altered her health, mobility, and daily life. Because of that, impaired driving is more than a concept to me; it is a reality that has left lasting consequences for my family.
To me, impaired driving means operating a vehicle when your body or mind is not in a condition to react safely. People often think of alcohol when they hear the word “impaired,” but it can also mean driving under the influence of drugs, being distracted by a phone, or even being so tired that you cannot focus. What makes impaired driving especially dangerous is that many people do not realize, or refuse to admit, how impaired they truly are. Someone might say, “I’ve only had a few drinks,” or “I’m just a little tired,” and convince themselves that they can still drive. That false confidence is what leads to tragedy. Even drivers who have completed driver’s education or traffic school sometimes forget that impairment is not always obvious, but it is always dangerous.
In my mom’s case, the impairment was alcohol. Her friend had been drinking but insisted that she was “fine to drive.” She was not. She lost control of the car and crashed it into a tree with my mom in the passenger seat. That crash left my mom with a severely damaged leg that required surgery. Surgeons had to insert a plate into her knee, and to this day she walks with difficulty and lives with permanent sensitivity in her leg. Watching her deal with pain, doctor’s appointments, and lifelong mobility challenges has shown me how one careless decision behind the wheel can cause harm that never goes away.
This experience changed the way I think about impaired driving in every way. I am not a licensed driver yet, but I already know how I will act when I am. I will never get behind the wheel if I feel even slightly impaired, and I will never accept a ride from someone who has been drinking, using drugs, or is too tired to focus. I understand now that driving is not just about the person holding the steering wheel; it is about every passenger in the car and every person sharing the road. My mom’s crash could have been worse. She survived, but many families never get that chance to be thankful. I think about that often, and it makes me determined to make better choices.
Driver’s education and traffic school courses can play a huge role in preventing impaired driving. These programs do more than just teach students the rules of the road; they teach responsibility. For example, seeing real-life crash statistics, watching testimonials from victims, or hearing stories like my mom’s can open a student’s eyes in a way that simple facts cannot. I believe education works best when it is personal and relatable. If young drivers understand the lifelong consequences of impaired driving, not just tickets or fines but permanent injury, loss, and regret, they are more likely to make careful decisions. These courses also give drivers tools: how to plan a safe ride home, how to speak up if someone is about to drive impaired, and how to recognize that fatigue or distraction can be just as dangerous as alcohol.
Personally, I feel a responsibility to be part of the solution. Because I have seen the long-term effects of impaired driving in my own family, I can share my mom’s story with others as a reminder of what is at stake. Among my peers, I can set an example by refusing to ride with impaired drivers and by encouraging others to make safe choices. In the future, I even hope to use my leadership roles at school to raise awareness, whether through student organizations, presentations, or campaigns, because sometimes it takes someone our own age to get through to us.
Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths, but it does not have to be. Every driver has the power to stop it simply by making the choice not to drive while impaired. For me, the issue is not abstract or far away; it is personal, and it is painful. My mom’s crash is proof that one moment of poor judgment can create a lifetime of consequences. That is why I will do everything I can to be part of the change, to speak up when needed, and to ensure that I never cause another family the pain that impaired driving has already caused mine.
