Driving Under the Influence

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Drunk driving is an issue that effects many people across our nation. People do not realize the affects alcohol can have on the body and mind that slow decision making while driving. This issue begins in the home. Children see their parents, or other adults figures, have a beer or a cocktail and get in the car. Thus, making it seem like it is acceptable to drink and drive. “One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime” (MADD). Driving under the influence is measured by a person’s blood alcohol level (BAC). BAC is determined by the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream. Individual counties and states have their own legal level on blood alcohol percentages that they measure a person’s BAC to determine if they are intoxicated while behind the wheel. “Everywhere in the United States it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher” (DUI Foundation). Once an individual makes the decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol they are not only putting themselves at risk but the lives of other people on the road. After reviewing the Annual Report of the California DUI Management I was astonished to find that in 2008 there were a total of 214,811 DUI arrests (Annual Report). Of those 214,811 arrests I was sickened to find that 38,266 of the drivers were a second-offender (Annual Report). This means that these individuals have had one DUI arrest within the previous ten years. It is disheartening for me to discover that 26.4% of the reported 214,811 arrests are due to individuals who were second to fourth-offenders. California obviously has an issue with people who really do not give a second thought to getting behind the wheel of their cars after partaking ... ... middle of paper ... ...” a week teaching kids the dangers of alcohol and drugs, is not the answer. Let us not just teach children to say, “NO!” to drugs and alcohol, but say “No!” to drinking and driving. I would much rather have my children and their friends saying “no” then making the choice to get behind the wheel under the influence and harm themselves or cause injury to others. Works Cited "DUI_2010_MIS_AR.pdf." California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Web. 11 Dec. By. "MADD - Statistics." MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. By. MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Web. 11 Dec. 2010. DUI Foundation | Educate & Prevent. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Century Council. "Learn the Facts." Www.centurycouncil.org. Web. Warner, Veronica. “Alcohol.” Questionnaire. Fresno, 2010.

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