Preventing Individuals From Drinking and Driving

Haley Kampka

DmvEdu.org

Driving and Traffic School Scholarship

8 July 2021

Preventing Individuals From Drinking and Driving

The act of drunk driving not only puts you in a dangerous position, but it also puts everyone else on the road with you at harm. According to NHTSA, about 28 people in the United States die each day due to drunk driving accidents. In the year 2019, there were a total of 10,142 deaths because of drunk driving, however, all of these deaths did not have to happen. Drinking and driving can be prevented by following some safety precautions and tips. But why does drinking and driving continue to happen? This is because people do not take the mature precautions before they become too intoxicated to make safe decisions. Even if a person knows the dangers of drinking and driving, once you drink too much there’s not much you can do except rely on your risky decision making. Doing that would most likely put your life and other’s lives in danger. There are some ways you can avoid becoming a statistic by having a plan before you decide to drink.

If you plan on drinking before you go out make sure you have a reliable designated driver. It is important that your designated driver is trustworthy and you know they will keep to their word and not fall to drinking a few. If this were to happen, you would now have two people that are not mentally conscious enough to make safe decisions. Making sure to have a friend with you that will watch out for you and make the right decisions for you when you cannot is an important part of preventing drunk driving. Another option to make sure that you are not tempted to drive is to leave your vehicle at home, that way you have no other choice but to ride with someone. If you did bring your vehicle you could give your keys to a friend to ensure you will not try to drive yourself home. Taking public transportation is another option that is worth the money rather than the outcome of a drunk driving accident.

Even though most find social drinking enjoyable, it is extremely important to know your limits. If you exceed your limits, your brain functions differently and your thoughts and ideas will not be accurate to what you’d usually think. Symptoms of drunkenness also cause slow impairment, making your judgment of mobility inaccurate. If you get to a point where you are too drunk, it is important that you listen to someone if they are telling you that you are too drunk. After all, they are telling you this for your benefit and safety, which will in the end keep you out of a dangerous position. Acknowledging you need help is not embarrassing, instead, it is a mature thought to want to keep yourself safe. Another reliable option is to call your loved ones when you have been drinking. Even though they may be disrupted or disappointed, they would be willing to help you if it means keeping you out of a life-threatening situation.

Being mature is the most important factor in drinking responsibly. Every time before you drink, you should know your limits and be responsible to not go beyond them. Making responsible decisions may seem like an unpopular choice when you are around friends at a party, but if it can save your life, why not take that precaution. Even when you think that a quick drive home won’t hurt anything. In reality, your judgment and decision-making are not precise enough to be out on the road. Driving under the influence is considered a crime with long-lasting consequences, possibly taking the life of an innocent person on the road with you. Additionally, you and others will face emotional and financial stress because of your irresponsible decision. Ultimately, drinking and driving will only endanger you and the lives of others.