Name: Grace Kennedi Houseman
From: Wytheville, VA
Votes: 0
Impaired driving to me would be the decision to get behind the wheel when your ability to drive safely is compromised by any sort of outside source like: drugs, alcohol, fatigue, distractions, medical conditions, emotional state, and vision problems. Newer drivers and drivers in their 20s and early 30s are most inclined to experience impaired driving. I feel as though if we take a deeper look into that fact we can see the bigger picture. Young adults and teenagers underestimate the effects of impairment. When having any substance in our systems we lose the ability to make conscious decisions. Even when completing any sort of driving program we see people still participating in this deadly act. Most people with addictions are most likely to participate. This is the reason driving schools and classes do not work for them. People in denial of their addiction can view driving while under the influence of substances to be normal. Oftentimes, the addict or the intoxicated driver does not comprehend how sober they actually are. They may believe they are less drunk leading to horrific accidents. Teens and newer drivers are a large part of impaired driving as well. When going into the teenage years mental health can be a struggle. The number one reason teens turn to drugs and alcohol is so they can relieve negative emotions, anxiety, and depression. Teens are not taught how to handle the emotions they are feeling. Teenagers are not addressed correctly when talking about impaired driving. When told not to do something just because you are not supposed to do it inclines teens to do it more. Many individuals do not think of the consequences of drunk or impaired driving. Of course people make their own decisions but we as a country are partially to blame. We are responsible for addressing the underlying issue at hand. Addiction, Mental Health awareness, and of course more education on the subject.
The most common impairment would be alcohol, drugs, distractions, and drowsiness. Alcohol affects driving by slowing reaction times, reducing motor coordination, affecting judgement and decision making. Drugs have very similar effects like slowing reaction time and creating poor judgement. Although a big misconception is that drug impaired driving is less dangerous than drunk driving. Both are substances that affect judgement, both are extremely dangerous. People also often realize that over the counter medicine and prescription medicine can also be considered impaired driving. Especially when misusing prescription medicine. This can result in the same effects as any drug on the streets. Distractions such as texting and driving, unstable mental health, visual distraction, manual distraction, and cognitive distraction are examples of impaired driving. Distractions are everywhere, though we need to always make a conscious effort to always be focused when operating a vehicle or we are at risk of losing our lives or even accidentally taking someone else’s. Drowsiness is very common for people with time consuming jobs. For certain careers such as doctors or nurses they do not get enough sleep. When extremely drowsy you are at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Sleep deprivation can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sleep deprivation has all the same effects. As a society we need to start spreading awareness and taking care of each other. We need to change the system so any career can always have the energy needed to contribute to the job but also save enough energy for the person working.
Personally I have seen many people in my life go through some similar experiences. One major experience I have witnessed would be my cousin’s death. My cousin passed away in a car wreck heading back from a long shift as a nurse. This heartbreaking situation has shaped who I am today and the way I think about safe driving. It is more common and easier to drive in unsafe circumstances than realized. I believe if we have more people tell their experiences of unsafe driving in these driver’s education and traffic school courses we will see more of an impact. We need to stop underestimating impaired driving and start spreading the truth. I believe I can contribute to the stop by spreading awareness and recognizing the importance of the subject. I believe my knowledge of the subject alone can benefit the people I love most in my life. In doing that I am starting what needs to be done. The stop of unsafe driving.
