The Sad Reality of Driving Drunk

Everyone knows someone who has stumbled from the front door to their car, yet gotten inside and driven away, as if no one was any wiser. After a certain amount of beers some people seem to have a shut off switch inside their minds that makes them forget why they shouldn't drive after they've been drinking.

As a young adult I did my fair share of partying, just like the rest of you, but because of this story a friend of my mother's shared with me, I've never gotten behind the wheel drunk. Hopefully, in passing along this message you can help prevent someone from driving drunk as well.

I don't have any idea where the story took place or even if it's true or fictional, however, it is the most heartbreaking thing I've ever been told...

A man stopped by a local bar on his way home from work to relax, have a few beers and hang out with some friends he hadn't seen in awhile. After a few hours of kicking back, he decided it was time to go home and left the bar. He got into his car and drove in the direction of home, only to fall asleep at the wheel half way there. His car drifted over the yellow line and hit another vehicle head on. The woman and three children in the other car were said to be dead instantly, while he was rushed to a local hospital alive, but with major head trauma. After several hours of working on him, the doctors proclaimed him dead as well. A nurse asked the doctor if they should contact his family and the doctor simply replied, we can't, it was his family in the other car.

That's right, the man killed his own family, his wife and children, as well as himself, just because he chose to drive home after having a few beers. He could have called a cab, or a friend, or hell, his wife, she was obviously going out anyway. But no, he chose to get behind the wheel and drive home after drinking for several hours. The saddest part about it is, the bartender, who served him all those beers, allowed him to leave the bar, without making sure he had someone else to drive him home!

The next time you see someone, driving drunk, offer them this story, then offer them a ride home. Who knows? You might save a life, you might just save several lives!