Drunk driving endangers the lives of all who use motorized vehicles as a means of travel. Although countless DUIs have been issued since the dawn of this mode of transportation, people still get behind the wheel drunk and pose a threat to citizens.
Drunk driving has compromised the safety of individuals for over 100 years. Since the first DUI, issued in 1897, driving while intoxicated has been well-known to threaten both property and the lives of citizens. Even though this knowledge has been continually recognized, it fails to fully affect the behavior of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol.
This detachment between knowledge and behavior could stem from the illusion of control. Individuals may have heard about the dangers of driving while under the influence, but are more influenced by the belief that an accident or DUI will not happen to them.
Citizens ignore the threat of receiving a DUI or causing an accident because it becomes easy to overestimate one’s capabilities while intoxicated. This leads individuals to believe they are more than capable of operating a vehicle on the road. This confidence overpowers the knowledge of the dangers of drunk driving and deters individuals from making wise decisions.
Carelessness aside, individuals must begin to realize the danger of driving under the influence and begin to take responsibility for reckless actions.
The most efficient way to combat drunk driving is to further educate citizens about the negative affects of this act. When an individual receives a DUI it remains on their driving record for life. One careless mistake can cause harm to the individual’s own safety, and also to the safety of others. Driving while impaired may lead to serious injury or death, and once this act is committed it cannot be taken back.
Drivers must take DUIs seriously. They exist to provide punishment for driving while intoxicated. Beyond recognition of the purpose of a DUI, citizens must be educated on the dangers of impaired driving and prevent others from doing so, as long as it is in one’s power to stop a severe mistake.
