Drunk Drivers

Going for a night out? - This article is about drink driving and its effect on others not just you. I want you to leave any perceptions you have regarding drink driving behind for a few minutes. Think about what I am saying in these few paragraphs, then ask you to return too your thoughts on the subject.

I hope I change a few attitudes toward the drink driving subject, and if I save just one life I know this article will have done its job.

When will it be likely you are going into one of the various towns and cities for a night of celebration?

Or just for a few drinks with friends to socialize?

Will you be taking a taxi or your car?

If you are thinking about your car - please remember the images from the link at the end of my article. Because one of the next pictures added could be yours.

If you do drink alcoholic beverages are you likely to be having more than one; because you will of course want to be enjoying your evening.

Over the last year already a number of people will have driven to places where they had a drink; either to a party or a local bar. Then they drove back home having had one or two too many, that is if they made it home at all.

Is it really worth the risk of death in you car, because you had a drink but wanted to drive home instead of taking a taxi, or any other means of transportation?

Is it worth risking the lives of a loved one or another road user or pedestrian, because you felt the urge to have a drink then get in your car?

Go on look across the room at your husband, wife, son or daughter - brother or sister.

The answer is definitely no!

There should be an outright ban on alcohol consumption and driving. If you get caught, you should be banned instantly for two years. Then if you get caught again you should be banned for life.

I may not make to many friends with this article but deep down you know I am making complete sense.

The scenarios are endless as to what can happen if you drink and drive.

From running over and killing a child, to causing a multiple car pile up on the freeway.

Drink drivers kill and injure many people per year all over the world. People do not know their own alcohol unit limit let alone the law when it comes to allowed units for drivers.

People like to think they know their own limits but are surprised when something bad happens. Which I think is not only bad judgment but an extremely selfish view.

The "I know when to stop" or "I know my own limits" are attitudes that get people killed, because all to often it is those drivers who have said them words before picking up their car keys that have the accidents.

So the universal law should be 'No alcohol at all if you drive!'

It is unforgivable for someone to take a life simply because they felt the urge to get in there car after a drink.

Equally if you are caught you should be punished accordingly; after all if you know the risks and the law is clear you won't have the confused mindset when entering your car after an alcoholic beverage.

A zero tolerance approach by the police would be welcomed by me and I assume by many other too.

If was to be rolled out on a national scale in the USA as well as internationally - making the punishments for drink driving severe then we would all be reading from the same page when knowing the law regarding drink driving wouldn't we?

Why do you want to drive buzzed?

There would be no excuses if everyone was a rule to law when it comes to a zero tolerance approach, and should serve as the ideal deterrent to those who consider to, or do drink drive if a person caught was dealt with severely

Your car IS a loaded lethal weapon, remember that.

Would you forgive yourself if you killed your child, spouse or your best friend in an accident related to booze?

I know some of you are thinking that you know what is good for you and that you are a safe driver. But like I said before, it is that attitude that gets people killed.

Let us put the shoe on the other foot and throw in a driver who hits your vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Mr. Jones has had one and a half glasses of red wine, and felt fine when he got into his vehicle. He knew he wasn't drunk, and thought that his reactions had not been impaired.

He is following behind you in his four wheel drive, when the traffic lights suddenly change in front of you. You of course have not had a drink and react within the law and apply the breaks to slow down.

But Mr. Jones' reactions are slightly impaired by a split second and his vehicle hits yours from behind sending you into the back of another car.

The event snowballs and other vehicles are involved in the pile up. Your engine is now resting on your legs which you can no longer feel.

This is one scenario of many and you wouldn't like it to be you. I just want you to think about that before you pick up your car keys after having a drink.

Thanks for listening.

Now here are some pictures of accidents because of drink drivers. Some may be graphic be warned! Click here for drink driving accident pictures.

Sources: Google Images - US Police