Drinking and Driving is a crime in which two out of five Americans will be
involved. If we act now, we can lower this rate from the current 40% to 20,
or even 10% of people. It is estimated that 950000 people were injured or
killed in 1993 because of alcohol related accidents. If you think about it,
that is one person injured every 33 seconds. 24% of 15-20 year old drivers
were killed, when they had a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher.
1600000 people in the U.S.A were arrested for DUI (Driving under the
Influence) and DWI (Driving while Intoxicated) in 1992. Arrests were highest
in the 25-29 year old age group. More than 1/2 of the people who were
arrested in 1989 had previous DWI convictions. One in six people jailed for
DWI served at least three prior sentences in jail for drunk driving.
My Opinion
I feel that some of the people to blame for drunk driving accidents are the
bartenders (If the drunk driver went to a bar first). This is because they
know that a person is drunk, and that if they drive, then there is a high
chance of someone getting injured or killed. Theoretically, the bartender
could face lawsuits because the driver is too impaired to make rational
judgments. Some people may think that this is irrational, but they should
take some of the responsibility for the drunk people, and what they can do.
There is a law (I think) where if a bartender feels a costumer is too drunk
to drive, that they have to take their keys away.
I think that there should be a law that for every customer in a bar that
drives, the bartender should take their keys from them, but only if they have
a proven drinking record, or one whom the bartender has never seen before.
This would make the roads safer for innocent people. I also feel that there
should be heavier laws for DUI and DWI. Not only will they serve longer
prison terms, but there should be at least a $5000 fine. This should make
the driver think before getting him/her self drunk silly.
My Message to Everyone: Use the Designated Driver program if you are too drunk to drive! If you are
unable to find someone who is willing to not drink alcohol, and get unlimited free
pop, call a cab!
If you live in Canada, and you're graduating from high school this year, there is a contest running to make a commercial against drunk driving. I suggest you enter this if you have strong beleifs in this, and you're graduating from high school.
The Top Four Ways To See If A Driver On The Road You Are Driving On Is Drunk
1.
Turning with a wide radius. The probability is 65% that they are drunk.
2.
The driver appearing to be drunk. To appear drunk, they may be slouched, tightly gripping the steering wheel, or making obscene gestures(ie. The Finger, Swearing, or Flashing). There is a 60% probability that they are drunk.
3.
When the vehicle is weaving over the road. There is a 60% chance that they are drunk.
4.
When the driver is on the wrong side of the road. This means that they are on the shoulder, on the wrong side of the road, or off the road compltely. There is a 55% chance that they are drunk.
Here are some links that you can use for other drunk driving references
