The Dangers of Driving Drunk

Drunk driving seems to be an issue that keeps coming up, never really going away entirely. With the economy the way it is, it seems like one of the few industries that are doing well include the alcohol industry. In fact, recent reports showed that numbers had increased for alcohol sales. That's great for those in the liquor and alcohol business, but what does the bigger picture show for how Americans are feeling?

Having been a police officer before, I can certainly attest to the fact that many of the people who are arrested for drunk driving or driving while under the influence are not first-time offenders. In fact, many of the people who drive drunk are repeat offenders, having committed drunk driving offenses at least once (perhaps several times) in the past. It is a travesty, to say the least, that such an occurrence should repeat itself in a society where we are constantly supposed to be looking out for the welfare of ourselves an others.

I can remember arresting a young, male driver early on in my night shift, processing him down at the jail, going back to my shift duties and then coming across him approximately an hour later! Perhaps the problem is that we don't take drunk driving seriously enough. But then again, everyone's ears perk up when they hear that someone has been killed at the hands of a drunk driver. Certainly, there are other things- other factors that can contribute to devastating car accidents that don't involve alcohol though. Take, for instance, the following example. While in high school, I clearly remember the announcement that came across the loudspeakers and echoed in the empty hallways of the building from my grief-stricken vice principal. In a somewhat shaky voice, she announced that one of the boys in the grade below mine had gotten involved in a horrific car accident that cost him his life the day before. He was only 16 years old and had just left school with another female classmate. Trying to show off for his female friend, he was speeding down the highway. When he went to exit the highway on one of the highway exit ramps, he misjudged the turn, causing his SUV to flip over and crash. He was killed almost immediately while the girl survived.

Think of the pain, sorrow and anger that his family must have felt for years as well as the emotions that they are still living with today and will continue to deal with for the rest of their lives. It's not just drunk driving that kills; not being vigilant- not paying attention- these also kill. When you throw alcohol into the mix, it distracts you by affecting your body or impairing its ability to make sound decisions or navigate things around you such as roadways. With alcohol use and abuse come all sorts of 'what ifs'. What if he hadn't been drinking that night? What if I had never went to that party? What if I never gave him the keys? What if I offered to drive them home or at least call a cab?