Dangers and Consequences of Drunk Driving

Dangers and Consequences of Drunk Driving

Chris Telford, Staff Writer

A swerve to the curb of a lane, speeding down the highway at 125 miles per an hour. Slurring words, angry driver beeping their horn and yelling. Hit and run, fled scene while your vision is impaired.

Police at the scene. The breathalyzer is taking out and given to the driver. The breathalyzer reads .08. You are charged with three words DUI or DWI.

DUI (Driving under the Influence) is also referred to as DWI (Driving while intoxicated). DUI or DWI is driving a car or motor vehicle while impaired by Alcohol or drugs.

The dangers of Drunk Driving are a steaming topic in today’s society. People are driving drunk and risking the life of others daily. The wrong turn or speeding a light impaired can lead to death or serious injuries of the driver behind the wheel or their passengers.

Even if you have a shot or two to drink you still should not risk driving. A designated driver should always be the only and first option to drive after a party or event you are drunk at.

Why risk the life of friends and family members because you decide to drink when a designated driver is always available. Everyone has that one friend who does no use any drugs or drinks alcohol. That one friend should always be behind the wheel when you decide to drink before a party or event.

According to Madd no more victims, Drunk driving is when a driver drives with the blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more. Once your blood concentration is at .08 your muscle coordination, balance, speech, hearing, reaction time, and vision becomes poor says Madd no more victims.

Once you’re under the influence your judgement, self-control, reasoning, and memory becomes impaired. It also becomes harder to notice danger around you. There are numerous effects of driving with a blood concentration level of .08. Effects of driving with a blood concentration level of .08 are loss of concentration, short-term memory loss, and lack of speed control.

Alcohol is a depressant that breaks down the functions of the central nervous system says the NCADD. The biggest problem of drinking alcohol before or while driving is that it affects the driver’s cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination says the NCADD.

Alcohol impairment has little to do with the type of drunk you have. Being impaired with Alcohol is determined by the amount of Alcohol you drink.  Standard drink is considered 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled drinks.

According to the NCADD (National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) inc, an estimated 50% of people will be involved in a drunk driving accident in their lifetime. The  National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Driving requires a person’s attentiveness and ability to react instantly on the road, make quick decisions while driving,   react to changes in the environment, and make sometimes difficult maneuvers while steering the wheel.

According to MADD.org (Madd No more Victims), Americans take an estimated 233 billion driving trips each year. Sadly and Unfortunately 50 % of those driving trips are taken by people driving under the influence of Alcohol. 33% of traffic deaths involve drunk driving says Madd no more victims . Every 53 minutes someone is killed in a drunk driving accident says Madd no more victims.

The NCADD always states that even revoking drunk driver’s licenses is non effective because 50% to 75% of drunk drivers flee the accident scene.  It is beyond alarming that 32% of fatal car crashes involve an intoxicated driver.

At the end of the day the smart decision to have a designated driver at all times is the only way to go. The designated driver will be fully alert and aware of everything while driving because they are not impaired at all. Impaired drivers have no control of how fast, dangerous, out of control, reckless, or drunk they are while driving at any time.

Some people can become impaired off of one shot. You never know how someone can handle their liquor. That is why is essential to always have a designated driver with you when are ready to travel by vehicle.  Drive Safe and stay alive by having a designated driver take you to, and from your destination while you are drunk.

Remember being impaired while driving is never the answer. No excuses are acceptable under any circumstances for you to have to drink anywhere impaired. Ubers and cabs are the only alternative to use if a designated driver is unavailable to take you to and from your destination.