Alcohol related accidents are far too common in today’s world for one for not directly involved or related to those involved to be utterly shocked and amazed by the outcome. Far too often the individual who decided to get behind the wheel inebriated often walks away from the scene usually rather unscathed with minor bumps and bruises, while the innocent family, person, dog, etc., are maimed or dead beyond saving. Most individuals have a hope that they will never be a part of this statistic. However, according to the US Department of Transportation in “2010 the total economic cost of motor vehicle crashes in the US was $242 billion. The represents the present value of lifetime economic cost for 32,999 fatalities, 3.9 million non-fatal injuries, and 24 million damaged vehicles” (‘Crash States’, page 6). Alcohol related accidents in today’s world can instantly change the rest of the lives of those in the car and the remaining world around them.
I recently heard of any event that changed the lives of some many individuals in my life. I was not always close with the people and the poor girl that lost her life I had never met in person, but because of the circle of people she knew I could almost guarantee I had met somewhere along the way of life. The lady in question and her husband and a mutual friend were heading home from a Halloween party. The road conditions were highly questionable that night and the vehicle had flipped and became submerged in a canal near the road where the poor girl was stuck. The details of what lead the accident were not released due to the courtesy and request of the family but the hearsay on the matter was deafening. Simple nights out that lead to choices which resulted in deadly consequences that would last a lifetime for those who remained.
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In doing the research for this paper, it was intriguing to find out all the different terms to describe driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI). If an individual drives while impaired in Ohio whether it is under the influence of drugs or alcohol the citation is labeled OVI. Drinking and driving leaves a devastating impact on society. The effect begins at home because you chose to have one too many and thought that you had the capability to navigate your way back to your home, apartment, hotel, etc. Immediately the first person’s life you have ruined the moment the accident happens is your own. No matter how grand of a lawyer or family structure you have at your back there is no coming back from this.
The consequences on society are a revolving downfall due to the fact that you have not only harmed the person or persons that were in the other vehicle, on the sidewalk, or for lack of better reasoning in the definite wrong place at the wrong time. Drunk driving is a frightening experience for the driver, the occupants, and anyone else on the road. Driving on roads on any day/night of the road, especially during the holidays can be particularly nerve racking because you know what the other drivers on the road have participated prior to getting behind the vehicle. The statists of people who are willing to admit that they have drunk and drove have decreased rapidly over the generations.
Drunk driving to some is thought to be funny, to see if they can get away with it. However, one silly mistake can cost lives, thousands of dollars, etc. Drunk driving has an overall impact on society because it is not just your life that is interrupted. More often times than not there is no coming back from the decisions made in that split second. Drunk driving can carry sentences that financially and physically ruin the driver’s life, but more often than not it is a truly small price to pay in the grand scale.
“Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. That is one death every 50 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes is more than $40,000,000,000” (CDC.org). There are some many dangers that come with drinking and driving its remarkable and so easily forgotten. Alcohol delays your reaction time because it causes the brain to see things happening slower than what is actually truly going on. At that same breathe, intoxication can throw of your coordination and concentration so getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, and that does not mean just an actual car, it could be a motorcycle, golf cart, etc. Alcohol is a depressant so it slows down your thought processes and definitely fails to help you make the best decisions.
Single vehicle accidents that involve alcohol happen at a higher rate than multiple vehicle accidents. The decision to get behind the wheel of the car after consuming alcohol is not always a deadly decision. Some individuals are able to have that one drink/glass of wine/beer and hang around for a bit and then proceed on their way. There is a difference in understanding when you have had too much and need to phone a friend, uber, taxi, etc. In the days that we live in there is no excuse as to why you have to enter your vehicle and proceed to potentially ruin your life and the lives of so many others. Drinking and driving has and will continue to have a lasting effect on society until better decisions are made.