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Think before you drink By Sunnie Odom |
 Photos Courtesy of Mothers Against Drunk Driving In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes--an average of one every 30 min. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been a driving force to bring awareness to this topic of great concern. Since its existence alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by about 44 %. |
“Drink responsibly.” “
Don’t drink and drive.”
“Buzzed driving is drunk driving.”
These are just a few warnings heard about getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, yet many people still continue to drink and drive regardless of the many risks.
Many preventable deaths occur because of drinking and driving.
The statistics are eye-opening. Drinking and driving needs to be prevented.
Drunk driving is defined as driving under the influence of too much alcohol.
In most states, if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is over .08% and you are operating a vehicle, you are guilty of drunk driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most 170-pound men must drink more than four drinks in one hour and most 137-pound women can have three drinks an hour, on an empty stomach, before either person’s BAC reaches .08%.
There are no positive outlooks when focusing on the subject of drinking and driving.
Many lives are lost because of people drinking and driving.
The statistics are sad but true.
In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes.
These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).
The amount of money spent because of drinking and driving is outrageous.
Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses.
People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been a driving force to bring awareness to this topic of great concern.
Since 1980, the year MADD was founded, alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by about 44 percent, from over 30,000 to under 17,000 and MADD has helped save over 300,000 lives.
The solution to prevent the negative outcomes due to drinking and driving is to prevent it before it starts.
According to MADD there is a technology that has the potential to eliminate repeat drunk driving offenses-the breath alcohol ignition interlock.
These devices can prevent a vehicle from being driven by a drunk driver.
If they are used correctly, along with treatment and hard license suspensions, and remain in vehicles for a substantial period of time they can substantially reduce repeat offenders. (Stopping)
The lives of many have been affected due to drinking and driving.
No positives occur because of drinking and driving.
If everyone takes the responsibility to be more aware and think before they drink, many lives can be saved and much heartache can be prevented.
 Photo Courtesy of Mothers Against Drunk Driving |