Drunk Driving

Introduction

Each and every hour hundreds of lives are lost globally caused by drunk driving. Substance abuse is a major issue in today which affects every member in a way or another. One of the most abused drugs is alcohol and its effects are rather severe and dangerous. Drunk driving has grown to be amongst the leading death causes globally. Thousands of lives are lost or acquire severe injuries because of the careless driving by drunk individuals and a significant number of the affected persons are innocent road users (Taylor 445). When the alcohol content in the blood exceeds a given legal limit this implies that the individual’s judgment ability is impaired thus increasing risks of hurting themselves as well as others. Drunk driving can best be described as an illogical and careless driving based on the incapability to make right judgments of the surrounding. Based on the recent statistics it is apparent that the most deadly DUI cases are derived from young individuals of between 17 and 25 years. Despite the implementation of a number of control strategies, drunk driving is still a significant society evil that is growing at a drastic level (Taylor 445). The paper will, therefore, seek to analyze drunk drinking problem, its causes, and effects as well as propose viable solutions.

Drunk driving has been established to be amongst the leading forces in road mortalities given that they occupy about 45 percent of all traffic accidents. Driving necessitates a massive collection of skills which changes continuously. In this context a driver is required to retain alert consistency and react effectively to hazards swifts, hold a vivid vision as well as the capability to judging distance and speed. However, when one is intoxicated most of these particular skills that are required for adequate driving are usually affected which results in increased accidents risks. This results in high numbers of alcohol associated mortalities. Drunk driving is a complex issue but it can be effectively prevented with the application of countermeasures with the objective of transforming individual’s behaviors who might engage in drunk driving as well as uphold the conduct of those that adhere to driving while not drunk.

Drunk driving which is on the rise among the young people can be categorized as a choice that individuals opt for not on the basis of morals but because they are completely ignorant of the resulting consequences (Fairfield 1). Drunk driving is a community problem has a number of causes and implications. One of the prime cause is curiosity and peer pressure. It is universally believed that driving while drunk is okay for shorter distances and in non-complex and not busy roads. The original drunk driving accidents causes are due to carelessness and distraction. Some roads necessitate carefulness given that most locations have been labeled as probable danger spots.  Alertness lack may result in accidents leading to fatal injuries and deaths. When an individual is intoxicated this, therefore, implies that they ability to judge the appropriate speed and reaction is affected thus settling on high speeds. It is without a doubt that over speeding on the roads is harmful to self and others (Fairfield 1). Drunk driving is an act that impairs one's capability to settle for sound choices and additionally affects vision which is a necessity in regard to driving. The unethical choices might not always lead to arrests but they, in turn, result in irreversible and undesirable effects.

In reference to the youth, the leading drunk driving cause is peer pressure. For a number of the youths, they can confirm that they arrived safely at their destinations despite driving while intoxicated (Klaas 1). This is perceived as a form of competence which should be held by peers. Most will try to copy the habit because they want to be better as those that they relate with. It is, however, wrong to believe that drunk driving is a form of expertise. Intoxication affects everyone’s ability and regardless of the driving experience accidents can still result. Drunk driving is dangerous because it eliminates concentration thus creating distraction. In that, it impairs an individual’s senses which includes both hearing and sight and results in reduced muscles coordination and slowed reaction rate which is not an appropriate driving combination (Klaas 1). Annual thousands of vehicle accidents driven by drunk’s results in grief and tragedy which makes drunk driving to be the top most automobile accidents causes.

Drunk driving mainly occurs by the influence of environmental as well as the social surrounding. This refers to the surrounding in which one is raised. Growing up in families where drinking is not a major issue tends to instill the thought that drunk driving is not harmful. Young individuals normally engage in experimental things based on curiosity and in this context drunk driving is no exemption (McPhate 1). The society wants everyone to fit in modernity and thus this pressure forces most individuals to engage in such unlawful behaviors. Based on the recent statistics individuals with drinking issues are the probable drunk drivers. This is because the lack of adequate control on alcohol urge also affects the capability of not opting to drive after intoxication. The social surrounding can shape an individual’s belief given that most have engaged in such acts and there is not a single accident that has occurred (Klaas 1). This, therefore, generates the perception that drunk driving is never wrong after all. However, driving skills can never be categorized as competent to permit one to engage in drunk driving.

Drunk driving is linked to both economic as well as social effects. To start with, drunk driving leads to emotional destruction. Fatal accidents take lives of beloved individuals which then denies them any opportunity of retaining their connection with families. This normally results to grieving by the society in general for the loss that has occurred (McPhate 1). In addition, it turns to be highly expensive for the society given that the injured individuals necessitate expensive medical treatments which strain families financially. A number of these family members are also forced to abandon their income generating operations and focus on offering care based on the high dependency level (McPhate 1). Most of those that are affected are the providers in this families thus they are affected are then subjected to poverty due to the loss of financial sources.

An additional economic effect of drunk driving is that it accidents occurrences leads to reduced productivity within the working institutions. In that, the organizations lose some of the most products persons in mortalities or injuries that hinder their capabilities to be operative (Leonhardt 1). In this context families and employers are the most affected one given that they are required to be participative in health expenses for the affected group. Productivity loss is a prime strain to the economic sector given that the entire performance is negatively affected and the loss additionally creates emotional trauma among workers (Leonhardt 1). Low economic production decreases the state’s developmental authority given that the government is forced to spend most of the acquired revenue towards health services and health campaigns that seek to enlighten the public of the general effects of drunk driving. Rather than utilizing taxpayers funds in activities that seek to create public progress the funds are distributed amid the affected persons which affect the communities in general.

In short, the tendency to drive whereas drunk might lead to various undesirable and devastating consequences. For one, it has been established to be the leading accidents cause. A driver under alcohol influence has the highest probability of causing accidents when compared to the sober ones. Death and injuries are the highest reported effects in most cases globally additional to financial and emotional destruction caused by drunk driving accidents (Leonhardt 1). For the ones that are lucky to escape death they are bound to suffer injuries that might include total or fractional disability. An additional effect of this conduct is that factually,  when one is caught engaging in drunk driving this then creates a negative legal record and consequently, their repute is destroyed which might hinder them some important economic opportunities (Leonhardt 1). They are thus forced to exist with guilt of their action and the harm that they caused to self and to others.

Based on the devastating effects that are caused by drunk driving, it is essential to account for a number of solutions to effectively eliminate drunk driving incidents which will in turn lower traffic accidents. The existing laws and control measures should be changed given that they have not attained efficiency despite lowering accidents rate in the recent years (AIC 1). The first feasible solution being projected is the provision of education. There is a growing need for educating citizens on the consequences, the causes and the need for driving under zero or low intoxication. This will help in the creation of better understanding on the fact that drunk driving is never to be utilized as a travel option because it can be fatal and dangerous for the road utilizers (AIC 1). Drinking is something that is hard to control given that individuals are subjected to privileges on making decisions regarding their drinking. However, through education the public can understand that drinking is not the issue rather they should opt for designated drivers in guarding their own safety and that of others.

Having a nominated driver is useful as this individuals is willing to safely ensure that everyone is driven to their home location. Designated drivers normally prevents impaired driving that might have potentially resulted in accidents despite their significance being highly ignored amongst individuals (Lerner 1). This is achieved at zero costs given that the selected drivers understands his or her friends better. In this case, the most suitable decision that drank individuals should make is to take a taxi that will take them home thus guaranteeing more traffic safety (CDC 1). In addition, individuals can opt to spend some hours or nights in the nearest location to their drinking spot to travel on a later period. However, education is argued by most as being ineffective given that most of those that practices drunk driving are educated persons (Lerner 1). In this context they hold a clear visual of the consequences but are ignorant of the results. In reality education plays a crucial part in informing and asserting a number of crucial aspects such as the effects which can never be achieved via the implementation of strict regulation measures (McPhate 1).

In addition, to education alcohol consumption limit and higher age for drinking which should be set in the quest of discouraging drunk driving. The prime drinking controversy lies on when individuals should engage in drinking (Wald 1). Most of the individuals that engage in drunk driving are between 17 and 25 years (FFAAR 1). Given that individuals below 21 years are still involved in both physical as well as emotional development the age can be increased. Drunk driving effects are higher on younger individuals based on their inability to make sound decision on the grounds of peer pressure and the need to fit in modernity. The belief that drinking is not an issue because abusive drinking is the prime issue is not true given that just a single drink can result in severe damages (Hunter and O’Connor 1).

Drunk drinking is an issue that resist the general application of simplified and strict regulation measures. Most of those caught drunk driving are repetitive offenders and despite the heavy penalties implementation the act is still on the rise (Lerner 1). Training programs and awareness campaigns should be created on the implications of such actions and measures fairness should be distributed equally to ensure that individual’s rights are guarded as a violation may encourage repeated behavior. Promoting education social programs and limiting alcohol intake is an effective approach which can be implemented in relation to accidents reduction. Education is an effective approach given that it seeks to eradicate the misassumptions that it is interesting and skillful to engage in driving under alcohol influence. This is a measure that has in the past demonstrated effective progress among young individuals as they tend to understand more practical and assertive practices (Klaas 1). This is because education is more convincing and persuasive given that it addresses their needs and those of the public in general.

Conclusion

Drunk driving remains to be a significant community issue in the contemporary society. It is apparent that most of the road fatalities accounting to about forty five percent are a result of intoxicated driving. Despite that that been achieved by governmental and non-governmental institutions in the recent years drunk driving is affecting individuals lives. Drunk driving does not just hold health and financial effects given that it has emotional and mental effects as well. More families are affected financially and psychologically every year due to drunk driving. Environmental, education and social forces are the major causes of the rising rate of drunk driving accidents. There is no single individual that is competent to drive while drunk given that alcohol affects concentration, eye sight, hearing, coordination and the rate of reaction. Most of the prior strategies to curb the practices have mainly been grounded on strict legislation. However, it is clear that education and limiting alcohol consumption rate are some feasible solutions that are cost efficient, convenient, fast to implement, flexible and effective in changing individual’s behavior and perception.

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

AIC. Effective Drink Driving Prevention and Enforcement Strategies: Approaches To Improving Practice. 2014. Retrieved from http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/461-480/tandi472.html

CDC. What Works: Strategies To Reduce Or Prevent Drunk Driving? 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/strategies.html

Fairfield, Hannah. Young Drivers and Alcohol: A Deadly Mix. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/28/science/young-drivers-and-alcohol-a-deadly-mix.html

FFAAR. Stop impaired Driving. 2017. Retrieved from https://responsibility.org/stop-impaired-driving/

Hunter Adam and O’Connor Kevin. Sask. Doesn’t See Drunk Driving As A Problem Until Someone Actually Dies’: MADD. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/one-in-five-ok-drinking-driving-over-short-distances-1.3739462

Klaas, Perri. When Teenagers Drink, Avoiding The Risks From Driving.2017. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/well/family/when-teenagers-drink-avoiding-the-risks-from-driving.html

Leonhardt, David. A Public-Health Crisis That We Can Fix. 2017. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/07/opinion/a-public-health-crisis-that-we-can-fix.html

Lerner, Barron. Friends Still Let Friends Drive Drunk. 2011. Retrieved from https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/friends-still-let-friends-drive-drunk/

Lerner, Berron. Cracking Down On Drinking And Driving. 2013. Retrieved from https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/cracking-down-on-drinking-and-driving/

McPhate, Mike. Fewer Young People Are Drinking And Driving, Study Says. 2015. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/12/health/teen-drinking-and-driving-cdc.html

Taylor, Lawrence, and Steven Oberman. Drunk Driving Defense: [hauptbd.]. New York, NY: Aspen Publishers, 2006. Print.

Wald, Matthew. States Urged To Cut Limit on Alcohol for Drivers. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/us/legal-limit-drunken-driving-safety-board.html