I was watching television on New Year’s Eve, when I was quite disturbed by the message of a commercial that came on. The setting was a group of men drinking at a bar. When the one man got ready to leave, he contacted a designated driver. He left with his designated driver. The overarching statement was, “with more cops out there, why take a chance on getting a DUI?” This commercial was sponsored by “safety” organizations in Virginia and this was the message? I thought that it was a good commercial, right up to that statement. In my opinion, the statement should have been that drinking and driving can lead to unnecessary injury or death to you, loved ones or innocent victims, so do not do it!
Alcohol is a legalized, mind-altering drink. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not only a problem in America, but also a problem all around the world. Drunk drivers increase the probability of an accident so much that it must be assumed in the majority of crashes. Penalties for drunk driving are costly, with jail time, heavy fines and increased insurance premiums, just to name a few. However, the incentive to not drink and drive is because it is the right thing to do. I watch people, regularly, drive like they own the road, and these people are supposedly sober. Any amount of alcohol can impair one’s senses and reaction time.
I have seen my share of lives destroyed because of alcohol. I have been to the wreck where mom had been drinking, prior to the accident. She was arrested on the spot and her children had to be picked up by other family members. I also knew a young lady that was an alcoholic and became mean when she drank. On one particular day, she left a bar, driving of course, and killed a man on the side of the road. She was sentenced to 46 years in prison. She will be an old lady when and if she ever gets out. These are just two stories of many.
Consumption of alcohol is such a normal part of our culture that those who do not drink seem to be the minority. What good thing comes from drinking? Some would say that they only take a drink to be social. I heard this from a Christian brother one time, who stated that he just wanted to be part of the crowd. Of course, my statement to him was that we are called to be set apart. Drinking is an epidemic/pandemic, however you boil it down. You cannot convince me that any good thing comes from the consumption of alcohol. Look at the statistics.
Drinking and then deciding to drive is a bad choice. How many drug commercials tell us all of the bad things that a drug can cause? Why don’t we do this with the effects of alcohol? Alcohol is a moneymaker for some and a crutch for others. It is an ugly part of our society and usually brings out the worst in people. The only thing that alcohol distributors say is that a person must drink responsibly. I see this as an oxymoron. If you are going to drink, driving a car or diving into a swimming pool cannot be an option. Yes, I did say diving into a swimming pool. Don’t be selfish!
