With the number of drunk driving incidents on the rise, and the ramifications of these incidents on the rise, what can we do? Way back in 2005, it was reported that DUI incidents cost the US government a whopping $70 billion. It can’t get much worse, right?
Wrong. Flash-forward to now, and this figure has ballooned up to the tune of $132 billion. It’s a crazy amount of cash, and it shouldn’t be that high. It’s too much money to deal with a number of incidents that could just be easily avoided.
And therein lies the crux of the problem. How easy are drunk driving crashes to prevent, and what more can we do to halt the spread? The answer lies with a number of different possible solutions, and it’s important we look for a cure to this epidemic.
Looking around the world, certain countries, cities and states are better equipped to deal with these cases than others. In China, for example, if you have over 0.02 percent blood alcohol content, you will face legal action. Compare this to a country like Italy and their 0.05 percent, and it’s much easier to get away with drinking in the latter country. Sacramento car lawyer is the one to call for defense when it comes to DUI charges.
In short, the stricter the law, and the stricter the legal limit, the more we will remove temptation from people’s minds. We need more DUI laws that will force people to stop drinking altogether – not drinking up to a certain limit. Those who have been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk or negligent driver may consider hiring a car wreck lawyer to get help when seeking compensation.
Aside from the legal solutions, car manufacturers and distributors could be doing more, too. Some cars are so badly designed that the manufacturer can be sued if the owner dies in a drunk driving crash. This happens more than you’d think, and it’s important car makers take this into account.
One solution is for them to implement more car safety features. Besides seatbelts and airbags, they could build in lap belts and a sturdier frame. This won’t prevent the drinking bit, but it will halt any serious injury or even death.
The final solution lies with us, the people. Simply put, we have to do more. We have to know when enough is enough, and know when to stop carrying on drinking. These solutions range from the crude, like an online breathalyser, to the simple, like non alcoholic drinks. There are a ton of ways to cut back, and a ton of ways to stop ourselves from indulging too much.
Similarly, if you notice your friend is a little bit merry tonight, offer to take them home. Offer to get them a cab. A cab fare would be much more cost-effective than a DUI lawsuit, after all. That’s not to mention the wrecked vehicle, or the injury. We have to help each other to help ourselves!
And ultimately, that’s the best possible solution. We should be teaching our children about how to control alcohol, so they’re prepared for later life. Sure, everyone deserves to be able to enjoy a drink, but we all have our limits – and we should not cross them.
