Name: Ella Enloe
From: Jay, Oklahoma
Votes: 81
On September 5th, 1986, my mother’s world was shattered in seconds. A drunk teenager struck her mother, leaving a six-year-old girl to grow up without her mom. She would never see her at her first dance, her first date, her graduation, her wedding, or the birth of her first child. One reckless decision rippled through generations, forever changing lives.
Hearing this story my whole life made safe driving incredibly personal to me. I have never seen reckless driving as a joke or “just a mistake”. To me, unsafe driving looks like longing faces, the milestones never seen, empty chairs at family gatherings, and a little girl who never got to see her mother again. My mom’s story is a reminder for me that when I drive, I am not just responsible for my own life but for every single family I am sharing the road with.
Impaired driving, to me, means any time a driver is unable to have full focus and attention on the road. Most people assume it only means being drunk or high, but this is an extremely dangerous misconception. Even teenagers who complete driver’s education assume that they are “good to go” after one drink or think changing the song is harmless, but the truth is that impairment can take many forms. It can be emotionally charged, such as driving while angry or upset. Driving while distracted by stress, grief, or even overexcitement is a form of mental impairment. Physical impairment, like fatigue or illness, limits reaction time. Impairment is anything that steals your ability to make safe choices behind the wheel, and that is something far too many people underestimate.
Teens today face numerous challenges that make safe driving even more difficult. Now more than ever, it is easy to become distracted on the road. A simple text can pull the focus from the car to your phone, and a “fun night out” can turn deadly when alcohol is involved. Even just a simple passenger in the car can cause the driver to take risks that shouldn’t be taken. These moments are where education and awareness matter the most. When we teach teenagers how alcohol and drugs can reduce their judgment and focus, phones snap your attention from the road in an instant, and fatigue slows reaction time, they are far more likely to pause, think, and choose to protect every life on the road.
The more we expose young drivers to the dangers of impaired driving through awareness at school, in local communities, and on social media, the more likely they are to make good decisions on the road. Driver’s education should not be the only place where teenagers are exposed to the dangers of distracted or impaired driving. Schools across the country need to take up the responsibility of educating their students about how their choices while driving don’t just affect themselves as an individual. They could host mock crash events, partner with local law enforcement for some demonstrations, or invite speakers who have lost loved ones to share their stories. Education when emotional and relatable has the potential to change behavior. Statistics may be easy to forget but stories are remembered for years to come.
My role is to model the behavior I want others to follow. That means committing to never drive impaired, never ride with someone who is, and speaking up if I see unsafe behavior. Sharing my family’s story also allows me to influence friends to think twice before they get behind the wheel impaired. I have learned that courage doesn’t just mean doing the right thing for yourself, but also stopping others before they make a decision they are unable to take back. If one person chooses safety because of my example, that is one life potentially saved.
My mom’s story has taught me more than just the importance of safe driving. It has shown me how fragile life can be and how deeply our choices affect others. It has given me empathy for families who face similar losses and a determination to be part of the change that prevents them. I carry her story with me every time I drive. It is a quiet reminder that I have the power to either protect or endanger the lives around me.
Impaired Driving is not just a statistic; it is my family’s story. One teenager’s decision changed generations of lives. My goal is to honor that story by being the safest driver I can be, and by encouraging others to do the same. Being a safe driver should not feel like a burden, but you should see it as acting in love for every individual on the road.
