Drive Sober. Never Under or Over.

It takes more than following the rules of the road to ensure the life and safety of all other people on the road. Driving safely is more than following traffic laws. It is recognizing that every person in a vehicle and on the road has a life worth protecting. For me, this responsibility is deeply personal. I lost my brother because my cousin drove under the influence leaving Louisiana State’s Homecoming game in September of 2024. What others may discuss as a warning or statistic became a reality my family must live with every day. His death changed how I understand driving, accountability, and the importance of making decisions that allow everyone to return home. Before the crash, my brother had been driving and had dropped off a truckload in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He normally had visited my mom’s side of the family down there to stay with until his next load was ready. My brother, Kortez Coleman, was tired, which was why he did not drive. My cousin was driving under the influence, and his girlfriend tried to intervene but refused because of my cousin’s abusive behavior. These circumstances shpw how complicated and dangerous a situation can become when impairment and abuse are involved. The responsibility for choosing to drive under the influence belonged to my cousin. His girlfriend’s experience of abuse should not be overlooked or treated as the cause of his decision.  

My brother’s death taught me that unsafe driving affects far more than the person behind the wheel. Families are left grieving someone whose presence cannot be replaced. When my brother passed away, it was the beginning of my senior year of high school. Tez was the hype of my senior year, and for that to be taken away in an instant hurt a lot; he was going to show up to all my senior nights from basketball to color guard to band concerts. That is why I believe sage driving must be treated as a responsibility to others, never merely a personal preference. For my family, the importance of safe driving is not abstract. It is connected to someone we loved, whose absence reminds us why these decisions deserve attention before another life is cut short. 

  My message to others is simple: “Drive sober. Never under or over.” My connection to DUI awareness comes from knowing what family can lose when someone chooses to drive impaired. Sharing my brother’s story gives me a way to encourage others to take this responsibility seriously. Planning a sober ride is an act of caring for yourself but most importantly others. Calling someone, arranging reliable transportation, staying at someone’s house, or even calling an Uber or Lyft can protect lives. No destination, celebration, or desire to get home quickly justifies driving under the influence. Driver education plays an important role in preventing dangerous choices. It should teach more than how to pass a test or operate a vehicle. Drivers need to understand how alcohol, distractions, fatigue, and reckless behavior can affect their ability to respond to danger. They also need practical ways to avoid unsafe situations before they happen. Thinking about a form of transportation before drinking and recognizing when rest is necessary should be an everyday habit. Earning a license gives someone permission to drive but also brings an obligation to take that responsibility seriously.  

Safe driving also means being one-hundred percent attentive to the road because you’re driving for yourself as well as others. As a college student, I understand the pressure to answer messages, arrive on time, and manage several campus involvement responsibilities. But it is better to be late than risking your life and someone else’s; notifications can wait. Putting a phone awa, following speed limits, wearing a seat belt, and adjusting to road conditions are choices that demonstrate respect for everyone nearby. Communities also have a role in making safer choices possible. Friends can arrange sober transportation before going out, and student organizations can encourage honest conversations about impaired driving. Those conversations should recognize that speaking up is not equally safe for everyone, especially someone experiencing abuse. Encouraging intervention must include concern for that person’s safety and access to support. My family’s experience reminds me that prevention requires more than telling passengers to take the keys. It requires accountability from drivers and options that help people avoid dangerous situations without facing additional harm. 

While I can never change what happened to my brother, I can honor his life by raising awareness of safe driving practices. In addition to my studies in political science and law, I can aid the protection of many lives and the upholding of accountability for drivers on the road. Safe driving is a responsibility that we must all take seriously and, by doing so, be able to ensure that others are able to return to their loved ones. People are irreplaceable, that is why this matter will always hold a special place in my heart.