Name: Ansh Vinchhi
From: Santa Maria, CA
Votes: 20
Growing up, seeing families of those around me struggle with alcoholism and drunk driving was difficult to watch. I only heard stories of parents being separated from children because the chronic late-night drinking and risky driving was deemed to be too unsafe for innocent 8-year-olds to have in their upbringing. However, I can imagine the pain that these same experiences must bring to hundreds of thousands of families nationwide – lives changed in an instant due to impaired drivers behind the wheel who fail to understand the consequences of each misjudged action.
“Impaired driving” refers to operating a vehicle while any physical, mental, or emotional ability needed for safe driving is reduced. To me, it is the state in which judgment, reaction time, awareness, and coordination are too hindered for a driver to safely respond to what is happening on the road. Although the definition seems simple, it is often misunderstood even by people who have completed driver’s education or traffic school. Many drivers think impairment only refers to being heavily drunk or high, when in reality it includes common scenarios like driving while tired or texting behind the wheel. Because impairment can be hard to notice, people often underestimate how easily their abilities can be affected.
Today, various types of impairment affect drivers. Alcohol remains one of the most common and well-recognized causes of impaired driving. Even small amounts of alcohol can slow reaction time, cloud judgment, and create a false sense of confidence. Drugs, whether recreational or prescription, also impact driving. However, one of the most prevalent and common forms of impairment is distraction. It divides attention and pulls the mind and eyes away from the road. A driver looking at a screen is effectively blind to the road for critical moments. Fatigue is another major but often ignored danger. A tired driver may drift, react slowly, or even fall asleep for a moment. Although each type of impairment works differently, the result is always the same: reduced ability to make safe decisions, putting everyone on the road at risk.
My awareness of impaired driving changed significantly after I experienced it. My parents, my brother and I were coming home from an international trip. We landed in LA and had a 3 ½ hr drive back home on a winter evening. Due to the jet lag, my parents fell asleep behind the wheel in spite of efforts to keep awake like drinking coffee, listening to music and chewing gum. We drifted off the road and would have hit the median barrier if my parents had not awakened to the noise from the rumble strips. We swirled and thankfully my dad got the car under control while making a sudden stop on the side shoulder. We were almost thrown out of our seats had we not been wearing seat belts. This was a very scary experience, and we all froze for a moment. My dad then pulled over to a gas station at the next exit and they took a nap till they felt rested and were able to drive. This story made me realize impaired driving isn’t always intentional or malicious; it can arise from simple, everyday choices. This story reshaped how I view driving and made me more attentive to my own condition before getting behind the wheel. It influenced me to prioritize rest, avoid unnecessary late-night driving, and speak up when I see someone else about to drive while compromised.
Drivers’ education and traffic school courses play an important role in changing attitudes around impaired driving by addressing misunderstandings and giving students realistic examples. What makes these programs effective is their focus on awareness, empathy, and practical strategies, not just memorizing laws. They also teach students how to recognize risky situations, plan ahead, and communicate assertively if someone encourages unsafe behavior. These programs help students build confidence in making safe decisions, recognizing dangerous situations, and resisting peer pressure.
During my junior year, our school had the “every 15-minute program.” It included a dramatic, live-action simulation of a fatal DUI collision involving student drivers. The police department, fire department, EMTs everyone was part of this program. The program stimulated students who “die”. These students were taken from their classrooms and separated from their classmates for a day to highlight the impact of such a tragedy. This really made a lasting impact on me, made me shudder to my bones and made me realize how one wrong decision can impact me, my family, friends and innocent people and their family. There are other programs like reinforcing alcohol prevention (RAP) program; MADD promprosal, steer clear, etc. I think every school should have programs like these. When students see how quickly a distraction can escalate into a crash or how alcohol affects reflexes even at low levels, the lesson becomes personal rather than abstract.
I believe everyone has a role in preventing impaired driving. For me, this begins with holding myself accountable: choosing not to drive when tired, distracted, or under the influence of anything that might impair me. It also means encouraging friends to be responsible, offering help when someone doesn’t feel safe to drive, or reminding others that calling a ride is always better than risking a life. After becoming a licensed driver, I have stepped up and acted as a designated driver to events that involve drinking, even when I am not asked to do so. I would much rather have the inconvenience of taking time out of my day to drive loved ones than have to cry at their funeral for an avoidable cause. The knowledge and training I’ve received, along with the values my parents have taught me, influence the way I speak up and the way I lead by example. By modeling responsible behavior, whether by refusing to drive after drinking, avoiding phone use, or speaking up when a friend considers driving impaired, I can help create a safer environment for everyone. I also refuse to get in a car with someone who is drunk, and I would discourage any friend from drinking and driving. I know the risks too well, and I would rather have an uncomfortable conversation than allow someone to put theirs and others’ lives in danger.
Because of what I’ve learned and because of the way I was raised, I have already made a personal decision: I do not intend to drink and drive, ever. If I’m ever in a situation where I’ve been drinking, or even if I just feel “off,” I would rather take an Uber or call for a ride than take a risk that could harm myself or someone else. My parents have always told us that they would much rather come pick us up at any hour or pay for an Uber, without guilt or judgment, than have us risk driving under the influence. Knowing they support responsible choices instead of judging mistakes has made me feel comfortable choosing safety over pride. They have also set this example for us: they never drive if they’ve been drinking, even if they feel fine. Their actions show that responsibility isn’t just talked about, it is practiced.
The same values apply to texting and driving. In my family, we are not expected to return texts while driving. We text only when we are at a safe location. Personally, I do not answer calls while driving unless the situation is urgent, and even then, only through a hands-free device. If I absolutely have to take a call, I pull over somewhere safe. These habits have become second nature to me because I was taught that nothing on a phone is worth risking a life.
In the end, preventing impaired driving is not just a matter of law or education; it is about responsibility, awareness, and consistent choices. By staying committed to safe habits and encouraging others to do the same, I hope to contribute to safer roads and a culture where responsible driving is the expectation, not the exception.
