Alcohol is a part of the human experience. But it is also one of the most dangerous substances out there because of its popularity.
In most cultures around the world, alcohol has become a social currency. People drink it during festivals, celebrations, or other life events, usually in a community setting. Those who want to escape their problems or have a good time also turn to alcohol.
Citizens of countries with colder climates use alcohol to keep warm, using the illusion of the substance’s astringent burn to feel some heat. But science disproves this with studies that indicate alcohol eventually lowers the body’s temperature.
But whatever the reason for drinking is, it is undeniable that alcohol go hand-in-hand with human civilization since the beginning.
No matter how ingrained it is in our cultural DNA alcohol remains one of the most addictive and unsafe substances. Its dangers come from the effects it has when consumed.
Intoxicated people often don’t make the best choices. Alcohol addles the brain and affects the decision-making capabilities of most people. It is often called ‘liquid courage’ because it makes people brave, but not always about the right things.
It is no wonder that Driving Under the Influence or DUIs are very common in the United States. The law only allows less than 0.08% blood alcohol content or BAC for a person to drive safely. Anyone who goes over that limit is subject to arrest.
A percentage limit can be vague, so how many drinks does it take to reach the legal BAC? There are no exact measurements because everybody reacts differently, but studies have estimated the legal BAC after about four drinks for women and five for men.
The BAC limit for driving might not feel like much, but the authorities have set that level to prevent accidents from happening. The body slowly absorbs alcohol over time, so if you start at 0.08% BAC, it’ll go up as time passes, hence the low legal BAC limit.
Despite having laws against it, driving under the influence remains one of the most committed crimes in the country. Statistics show that around 30% of traffic accidents involve intoxicated people annually for at least the last five years. In 2020 alone, about 11,000 people died because of drunk driving accidents.
Every day in 2020 there are 32 people dead from drunk driving incidents in the United States, according to data from the Department of Transportation. And the worst part is these deaths included total innocents killed from collisions with drunk drivers. So the danger is not just for the drivers, but also for other motorists on the same road.
So what do we do to reduce DUI-related incidents? Don’t drive drunk. The responsibility on the roads falls directly on us, motorists. We have a duty to ourselves and others to be sober before getting in our cars and keep the streets safe.
Alcohol and reckless driving are almost always together. Let us not wait to get in an accident before learning not to drink and drive. Prevention is always better than calling 911 after totaling your vehicle or other cars on the road. Don’t drink and drive.