It goes without saying that you should definitely not drink and drive, under any circumstances. And yet, we live in a generation of people who possess the ‘oh go on, just one more’ mentality, as these facts prove.
Arrogance and peer pressure are often the root causes of most drunk driving incidents. People believe they can handle themselves, when at a biological level, they simply can’t. We have to learn when enough is enough, know our legal limits, and understand the consequences of driving under the influence. Both at a personal level, and in regards to the law.
Every 53 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash. And that’s close to 10,000 people a year, too. There are billions and billions of car journeys each year, so percentage wise, it’s quite a small figure. But 10,000 is still way too high, especially compared to other sources of death.
More people die due to drunk driving than those killed in a homicide. That one simple drinking decision proves fatal thousands of times. Better safe than sorry – put the bottle down!
If you’re under 21 in the U.S, you are not allowed any alcohol in the blood system while behind the wheel. If only there were more DUI laws like this! It removes that temptation from the equation. Should I have one more drink or not? By not being allowed any, you remove the risk of getting caught.
Of course, this could be perceived as unfair, but ultimately, it’s for the good of younger drivers. If you do have a tiny bit of alcohol in your blood, and are charged, it’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of defense attorneys that would be capable of removing any charges. As long as you show that you’re in control, and safe, you’ll be fine. And that’s the key here. Control!
Of the fatalities of children aged 14 and younger 17 percent are due to drunk driving incidents. Sometimes, it’s hard enough to see children in the road at the best of times. They can pop out from behind cars, chasing balls and their friends. It’s especially common in housing estates.
This figure is shocking because it implies a good chunk of drivers are drunk during the day. Why? And what for? It’s unlikely a 14-year old child will be out at night, so these crashes must be daylight incidents. It’s hard to believe that an adult will have this little control or foresight. Drunk driving is bad at the best of times, especially during daylight hours.
You are in control of your own destiny. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. It’s up to you to know when enough’s enough, put down the bottle, and walk away. Somebody’s life could depend upon it!
So the next time you’re at a party, or at a friend’s house, realize the seriousness of the issue. It’s not something to be taken lightly. If better decisions were made more frequently, we could save a lot of lives!