Monday, October 29, 2012

Rant: Please, Please Please--Don't Drink & Drive

It is a very simple rule. If you have had too much alcohol to drink, don't drive. Any questions?

Every year, this is probably my most important Rant. It is an absolutely vital issue for everyone who enjoys alcohol of any type, from wine to beer, from Scotch to cocktails. As the holiday season is approaching, this is an especially dangerous period as some people have a tendency over indulge, to drink too much at parties and gatherings. There is nothing wrong with that, and they can drink as much as they desire, as long as they give up their keys and do not drive.

As I said before, "If there is any question, no matter how small, whether you are too intoxicated to drive, then don't. If your family or friends think you have had too much to drink, don't drive. Just don't. It is not worth the risk by any calculation." It is much better to err on the side of caution. If you have any doubt, don't drive.

Rationally, we all know the dangers of drinking and driving. We endanger our own lives as well as the lives of others. Every year, the news reports about terrible auto accidents, some with fatalities, that occur because a driver was intoxicated. Families are torn apart, lives are ruined, and much more. Why don't we learn from all these incidents? Even if you don't get in an accident, you might get arrested for drunk driving, with all the attendant high costs. You might even end up in jail.

About 17,000 people are arrested for drunk driving in Massachusetts each year. That is a huge figure, showing that far too many people still don't understand that they should not drink and drive. How difficult is it to understand? DON'T DRINK & DRIVE! I am sure drunk driving incidents in other states are just as significant.

Each time you drink and drive, you endanger yourself, your passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and people in other vehicles. Let someone else drive you, whether it be a friend or family. Take a taxi or public transportation. Leave your car where it is parked as you can always pick it up the next day. You have plenty of options so there is absolutely no reason to drink and drive. Be responsible.

I don't want to lose any family or friends this year due to a drunk driving accident. So please just don't!

3 comments:

Renee {Eat.Live.Blog} said...

Thanks for posting this. I was hit head on by a drunk driver exactly 19 years ago today. While there were serious injuries, thank goodness, in the long run, everyone is okay today. There is ZERO reason to drink and drive. Zero.

QPT said...

Don't drink and drive

Grayson Ford said...

“It is a very simple rule. If you have had too much alcohol to drink, don't drive.” - Yes, this is a very simple rule, but this is also most often overlooked by people. And if you will not follow this simple rule, you’ll most probably be arrested for DUI (driving under influence). So, if you don’t want to end up in jail, just DON’T DRINK & DRIVE!