It’s the
”
big drinking holiday
”
just ahead, so it’s time for the obligatory
– and sadly, necessary – warnings against drinking and
driving.
1. Avoid the 13 grant will extend patrols to combat the problem
It’s the “big drinking holiday” just ahead, so it’s time for the obligatory – and sadly, necessary – warnings against drinking and driving.
In every method available to it, society actively discourages drunk driving. The message is everywhere: Anti-drunk-driving campaigns fill every form of media, many featuring celebrities. Police officers are on the prowl, trying to catch drunk drivers. Those convicted face stiff fines, lost licenses and jail time.
And think of the guilt, the burden of living with the knowledge that you MIGHT HAVE seriously injured or killed someone – EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T THIS TIME – because you were driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The annual “Avoid the 13” drunk driving crackdown in Santa Clara County remains in full swing through New Year’s Day, and next year will include Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo thanks to a $661,000 grant funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
2. DUI numbers are down so far this year, let’s keep it that way
Thankfully, early numbers show arrests in Santa Clara County for driving under the influence down slightly compared to last year. Still, a review of a few sobering statistics is in order:
– In the State of California in 2007, 1,491 people were killed as a result of drunken driving.
– In Santa Clara County in 2007, 6,976 people were arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
– In Morgan Hill in 2007, 92 people were arrested for DUI, compared to 67 in 2006.
Clearly, despite the significant strides our society has made in the last 30 years or so in changing the “wink, wink” culture about drunk driving, we’ve still got a long way to go.
3. Parents need to address alcohol issue at home with consistency
A good place to start is in the home. Parents should never serve alcohol to teens or tolerate its presence by knowingly ignoring it at parties. We must teach our children that a big part of drinking responsibly is obeying the laws around consuming it. If we teach them that it’s OK to ignore age-related consumption laws, why should we be surprised if they ignore laws against impaired driving?
First-time DUI offenders should always receive some jail time and a lengthy license suspension.
Repeat DUI offenders should always receive significant jail time and even lengthier – perhaps permanent – license suspension.
In addition, given the extra risk and blatant and repetitive disregard for the safety of others that repeat offenders demonstrate, we ought to consider revoking their right to purchase and consume alcohol for a significant period of time.
Driving is a privilege – one that is dangerous and even deadly when combined with alcohol.
The worst possible way to welcome 2009 would be from a morgue, from a hospital bed, or from a jail cell.
Don’t drink and drive.
