Last Friday, I started my day in the same usual way; threw a temper tantrum about waking up, got dressed, cleaned up, and went to work. At about 10:15am, I got a call saying that someone I cared about and had grown to love was killed by a 19 year old drunk driver. It was a wake-up call that would change the way I looked at life.
Everyday I get in the car and as I'm driving I see ridiculous things going on around me; drivers speeding recklessly through a school zone, talking on their cell phone, texting, putting on make-up, eating, or some, like a man this morning, just staring off into the space around him, drifting in and out of his lane. Yesterday, I watched a work van run a redlight & t-bone an SUV, which resulted in a child getting thrown out of the back window. I was completely distraught about that accident and infuriated at the same time. It just seems like way too many drivers are completely oblivious to what is going on around them. Driving under the influence though, has to be a crime against humanity and is unfortunately an epidemic.
According to centurycouncil.org, 11, 773 people died in alcohol related auto accidents in 2008 (the most recent study) alone; accounting for 32% of all traffic deaths that year. That number averages out to be 1 alcohol related death every 45 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly; EVERY 45 MINUTES. I can't be the only person who sees a problem with those statistics. Unfortunately, those statistics get worse with 3% of those fatalities involving drivers who had a prior DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction in the past 3 years.
While underaged drinking is an even larger epidemic in today's society, underaged drinking and driving has become apart of an even bigger picture. 2008 statistics show that 12% of all drivers killed in accidents were under the age of 21; that equals out to about 4 people dying a day in alcohol impaired fatalities. 5,864 drivers, under the age of 21, were involved in fatal crashes that year, including 2,739 driver fatalities; 31% of drivers killed had been drinking and 25% of those drivers had a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08 (the legal limit) or highter. 2% of those killed had a previous DWI conviction as well.
[All statistics were taken from http://www.centurycouncil.org/]
[All statistics were taken from http://www.centurycouncil.org/]
Maybe it's just me but it would appear that our judicial system hands out slaps on the wrist for DWI convictions and local law enforcements don't put enough drunk driving initiatives into effect to prevent drunk drivers from taking to the streets. I understand that drunk driving isn't something that we can stop, but there are things we can do to prevent first time offenders from becoming repeat offenders or murders. Perhaps a permanent revockation of their liscense is "extreme" but a permanent installation of breathalyzer tests inside the car is reasonible. Some may say "well the cost of that could be expensive" but I believe paying for the installation can be included in their fine. I am also inclined to say that punishment for underage drunk drivers should be extreme and should include breathalyzer tests in their cars as well.
I will admit that I have done somethings in my 25 years that don't really give me a right to be angry at this 19 year old kid who stole the life of a man that was about to start reliving. But those things are lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I'm just asking that people take the time to think about the world around them. If you have no respect for your own life, thats a personal issue, don't take someone else's. I'll never understand what makes people have such a reckless disregard for human life and I refuse to spend too much time dwelling on it because something that deep will lead you to an early grave. I just hope that the guidance I will give my children is enough to make them think twice before they do the things that children and teens will do. All I can really do is live a prosperous life, not just for myself, but for my family and for the strangers that make up this world around me.
*~Writer's Ink.~*
If you have a drunk driving story or have been a victim of a drunk driving incident, please feel free to share. You can post it here, send an email to writers_inkorporated@yahoo.com, or just IM me on Skype, AIM, Yahoo IM, or Google Talk @ HerrQing35.
