The Importance of Being a Safe and Educated Driver

Malona Cox

Frederick Area High School

11 September 2025

 

The Importance of Being a Safe and Educated Driver

 

Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths on the road. It occurs when a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely is reduced by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or distraction. To me, impaired driving means allowing something—whether it be substances, exhaustion, or even a phone—to interfere with the responsibility of driving. Unfortunately, it is sometimes misunderstood, even by drivers who have completed driver’s education or traffic school. Many assume that impaired driving only refers to alcohol or drugs, when it can include distractions, fatigue, or anything that reduces focus. Even seemingly harmless decisions—like driving after little sleep or glancing at a phone notification—can be just as risky as driving drunk.

Types of Impairment and Their Effects

Among drivers today, the most common types of impairment are alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and distraction from technology. Alcohol and drug’s slow reaction times and impair judgment. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately thirty-seven people die every single day in the United States due to drunk-driving crashes. That equals one person every 39 minutes. Numbers like this highlight how dangerous and widespread this problem is.

Fatigue often goes unnoticed but can be just as dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that staying awake for 18 hours straight impairs judgment at a level comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. After 24 hours without sleep, it is equivalent to 0.10%, which is over the legal limit. A tired driver may think they can make it home, but their reaction time, awareness, and ability to focus are dangerously reduced.

Distraction, especially from texting or social media, is one of the most alarming issues today. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes every year in the United States. Looking away from the road for even five seconds at highway speed is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. During that time, a car could stop suddenly, a pedestrian could step into the street, or a light could change. The driver may believe they can multitask, but the truth is that no one can give 100% attention to the road while looking at a screen.

Personal Awareness and Experience

My awareness of impaired driving was shaped not only by stories but also by my own experiences. I have witnessed many incidents where people’s lives were put in danger because of reckless driving. Seeing those close calls firsthand made me realize how quickly a normal drive can turn into a tragedy when someone is careless or distracted.

One story that stands out involves a family friend who, after a long shift, attempted to drive home while exhausted. Only a few miles from home, he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. Thankfully, he survived, but he lives with lasting injuries. His story showed me that impairment is not just about alcohol or drugs—it can also mean fatigue and exhaustion. Because of experiences like these, I take extra precautions when I drive.

I have also been a passenger in cars where drivers chose to drive recklessly—speeding, checking their phones, or making careless lane changes. Those moments were terrifying because I had no control over the situation, yet my safety was in their hands. Those experiences left a deep impression on me and taught me the importance of not only keeping myself accountable but also speaking up when others are driving irresponsibly. It is never easy to tell someone to slow down or put their phone away, but it is always worth it if it prevents harm.

The Role of Driver’s Education and Traffic School

Driver’s education and traffic school play a vital role in changing attitudes and behaviors around impaired driving. These programs are not just about memorizing road rules; they are about instilling a sense of responsibility. Students learn the legal consequences of impaired driving, but they also learn the human cost—stories of families impacted, statistics that are impossible to ignore, and examples of how one decision can ripple through an entire community.

What makes these programs especially effective is that they combine knowledge with practical tools. Students learn how to refuse a ride from an impaired driver, how to arrange a safe alternative like ridesharing or a designated driver, and how to take accountability for their own decisions. Campaigns such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” or “Click It or Ticket” show that public education efforts can reinforce what is taught in the classroom.

Driver’s education also emphasizes peer influence. Many teens and young adults are most influenced by their friends, so programs that encourage students to look out for each other can be powerful. If one person is willing to step up and prevent an impaired friend from driving, they can save lives. Learning these skills early on helps build a culture where safety is valued over convenience.

My Role in Preventing Impaired Driving

Each person has a role in preventing impaired driving. For me, that means leading by example. I plan to make safe choices, such as never texting while driving, getting enough rest before trips, and refusing to drive if I feel impaired in any way. I also want to influence others by showing that safe driving is a sign of maturity and responsibility.

As a member of organizations like Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), I have opportunities to raise awareness about impaired driving. For example, I could help organize school campaigns, presentations, or even community service projects that encourage safe driving habits. Sharing statistics, posting reminders on social media, or even holding events like mock crash demonstrations can all have influence.

I also understand that prevention is not just about rules, it is about compassion. When I offer someone a safe ride, or when I encourage a friend to hand me their keys if they have been drinking, I am showing that I care about their life and the lives of others on the road. Even small actions—like reminding a friend to buckle their seatbelt or asking them to silence their phone—can prevent major accidents.

Conclusion

Impaired driving, in all its forms, is preventable. Whether caused by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or distraction, it robs people of their safety and sometimes their lives. Having personally witnessed incidents of reckless driving, I understand how fragile life is when someone makes a poor decision behind the wheel.

The fight against impaired driving requires awareness, education, and personal accountability. Driver’s education programs, community campaigns, and peer support systems all help shape safer habits. But the responsibility falls on each of us every time we get behind the wheel.

To me, being a safe and educated driver means more than following traffic laws. It means valuing life—my own, my passengers,’ and the lives of everyone else on the road. It means understanding that every trip, no matter how short, deserves full focus and attention. And it means being willing to take action, whether that is offering a safe ride, speaking up, or making the choice to wait until I am fully alert to drive.

Because I have seen the consequences of impaired driving firsthand, I am committed to protecting not only myself but everyone I share the road with. That is what it truly means to be a safe and educated driver.