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Drunk Driving: Prevention, Laws and Education

Drunk driving is still a problem in the United States. Though groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) have made significant strides in educating people about not driving drunk, ongoing efforts must be made to encourage people to drink responsibly and not drive drunk.

Drunk Driving Statistics
Here's a short list of some drunk driving statistics:

• Two out of five Americans will have a car accident that is alcohol-related.
• DUIs are on the rise for women.
• The majority of DUI offenders are under the age of 35.
• The worst DUI demographic? Males aged 21 to 24.

Drunk Driving Laws
Different states have different legal blood alcohol limits, which fall between .10 percent and .08 percent. On average, a woman who is 120 pounds will reach this range after drinking two drinks in one hour. Because of groups like MADD, more than 1,600 drunk driving laws have been passed to further regulate drinking and driving in the last 25-plus years. Drunk driving laws have been enacted to:

• immediately strip the license of a person refusing a breath test
• apply lengthier suspensions for first offenses
• enforce mandatory jail for subsequent offenses
• apply more aggressive addiction treatments
• apply zero-tolerance penalties for drivers under 21.

The Costs of Drunk Driving
Many people avoid getting a taxi because it "costs too much." In addition to potentially costing someone their life, the financial and legal costs of being charged with a DUI might give pause to those who bemoan the expense of a cab.

A DUI can cost upwards of $8,000 in fees and added expenses. This is not even considering any personal or property damage that may be incurred if an accident occurs. According to MADD Orange County (Fla.), some of the fees may include:

• criminal fines
• DMV fees
• education fees
• increased car insurance rates
• lawyer fees.

When considering the costs of a DUI, you also should take into account wages that will be lost while the offender is in court and doing community service.

Ways to Avoid Drunk Driving
Not drinking at all is one way to prevent drunk driving. However, adults over 21 have a legal right to drink and should feel free to do so as long as they act responsibly.

Most people know when they are going to drink. The key to making the best decisions to prevent driving drunk is to make them before you ingest any alcohol. Why would you make an important decision while your reflexes and reasoning skills are impaired?

Driving while impaired is not merely defined by a person's blood alcohol level. Any physiological effects a person experiences can impact his or her ability to properly operate a vehicle. Be aware that safety is not a Breathalyzer number. Safety is responsibly acknowledging that drinking and then driving, no matter how much alcohol you have ingested, may not be fair to you and to everyone else in your car and on the road.

That being stated, here are some great backup plans to avoid drinking and driving:

• Designated Drivers: Before drinking, decide who is going to be the designated driver in the group. It will be this person's job to avoid alcohol and make sure everyone arrives home safely. And remember, the designated driver is never the "least drunk" at the end of the event. 
  
  
• Taxi Cabs: Cabs are a very smart option and are relatively inexpensive when you consider the costs of a DUI.
  
  
• Sleepovers: You aren't in grade school anymore, but, if you are drinking at a friend's house, you should consider sleeping over. Knowing you can stay in one place and safely sleep off any alcohol can only add to your fun.
  
  
• Drinking Buddies: Before drinking, make an agreement with a pal to monitor each other's alcohol intake. Further agree that neither will allow the other to drive under questionable circumstances and that you will each respect your friend's intervention.