Another reminder

Drinking and driving can have many consequences.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

I have decided that it would be appropriate to repost this recent blog. As the holidays loom closer, I want to urge everyone to be responsible when it comes to driving.

I have seen it all when it comes to holiday traffic and am aware of the need for everyone to keep vigilant while on the roads during the holidays. And yes, I have seen the many facts and figures through the years, so I am well qualified in saying that drinking and driving during the holidays is absolutely irresponsible.

I recently saw a friend in the lunch room; he was feeling a bit under the weather. Ah, what a Halloween party he said. I had way more to drink then I needed. "I am getting old Russ," he said. I asked him where the party was and he said it was in Tampa. Knowing my friend lives in Pasco County, I asked him if he was driving. He said yes. Well guess what, friend. You're not just getting old, you're also getting stupid.

So that's what inspired me to cover the upcoming holidays season this week and talk frankly and freely about how irresponsible, dangerous and just plain stupid it is to drive under the influence of alcohol.

• Driving under the influence of alcohol not only puts you in harm's way, it also puts others in harm's way.
• Drinking and driving causes taxpayers millions each year in destroyed public property.
• Drinking and driving can lead to you losing your license and potentially your job or career.
• Drinking and driving can lead to an embarrassing arrest and a humiliating night spent in the local jail with other criminals.
• Drinking and driving is a criminal act that is taken very seriously by local law enforcement and court officials.
• Drunk drivers tax our emergency-response systems. Police officers, firemen, homicide investigators, doctors and nurses are kept challenged to clean up unfortunate events that could have been avoided.
• A vehicle crash involving a person driving under the influence is not an accident; it is a crime.

Please don't drink and drive this holiday season. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one, a friend or a colleague to a drunk driver. In these situations, the innocent deceased are not the only victim. Their family and friends are also victims and will always be victims.

Furthermore, sentencing a drunk driver to jail time and revoking his or her driving privileges is what we call reparations or punishment for a crime committed. But, sentencing a criminal to jail time means we also sentence his family to a period of time without such an influence in their lives. Whether you are a father, a mother, or a brother or sister, putting yourself up for potential incarceration is also just like sentencing your family and friends to same consequences. Those family and friends are sentenced to spend the next few years without that special person in their lives and are left to deal with the daily stress of attorney fees and lawsuits.

If this is not eye-opening enough, consider the effect on all the above-mentioned parties should someone get seriously injured or, God-forbid, die as result of an accident involving a drunk driver.

So, this holiday season, make the pledge not to drink and drive and stop others from doing so at all cost.

There is not a cab fare in the world that could ever affect you as emotionally and financially as a DUI or DWI. So, select a designated driver or take a cab. Don't just make the responsible choice for yourself, do it for those law-biding citizens who may fall victim to your poor choices.

Regards, Russ Handler