INTRODUCTION
One must understand the importance of safety while driving. Safety is an essential factor to take into account on a day-to-day basis. Drivers must never forget the fact that their safety and the well-being of other road users is in their hands. Traffic accidents are mainly caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Drunk driving is the act of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or other substances. It is extremely dangerous and has been the cause of most car accidents on the roads.
THE PROBLEM
Already in 2016, around 10,467 people died due to drink driving. More than 20% of these deaths were related to trafficking and many were caused by the use of drugs such as marijuana. In fact, more than 10% of people on the roads at night have marijuana in their systems, and there is always a 25% chance of an accident occurring when the driver has marijuana in their system. These facts are truly alarming.
Due to these problems, it is logical to have laws to stop them. Under sections of the California Vehicle Code, Section 23152 VC, it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both. A driver who commits DUI offenses is charged with penalties in court. Drivers who commit these offenses also have their driver’s license suspended. It is very important to understand the seriousness of this problem, and it is also equally vital to know your risk factors.
RISK FACTORS
This drink driving problem has several risk factors, especially for car drivers, motorcyclists and young people. For young people, the tendency to be involved in an accident when there is a high level of alcohol in the individual’s system is high. As of 2016, 27% of 25-34 year olds were involved in fatal accidents due to approximately 0.08% BAC. 26% of them were between 21 and 24 years old and 22% between 35 and 44 years old. This shows how risky this is for young people.
Risk factors are also high for motorcyclists. In 2016, 25% of motorcyclists in the United States died due to traffic accidents and were found to have a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Additionally, 38% of motorcyclists between the ages of 35 and 39 were killed in fatal crashes with BACs of 0.08% or higher. This also clearly shows how much impaired driving is affected by motorcyclists.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these growing numbers. Here are some of the preventative measures that can be taken:
-
Use of sobriety checkpoints
-
Using community-based approaches to reduce alcohol consumption
-
A drastic increase in the price of alcohol due to tax increases
For individuals:
-
Avoid Drunk or Drunk Driving – No alcohol or drugs in the system while driving
-
Designate a driver who doesn’t drink before drinking
-
If the person has been drinking, they should use uber/lyft and not drive.
CONCLUSION
Individuals and the government must take swift action to curb the problem of drink driving. The increase in deaths from driving under the influence of alcohol continues to break the charts. As a consequence of this increase, citizens must know the risk factors and prevention methods. Preventive measures will reduce the risks of drink driving and make the roads a safer place for everyone.