In a recent news report in California, the number of DUIs over July 4th is disturbing, to say the least. 589 alleged DUI drivers were arrested from 6 pm Wednesday, July 3rd until Friday, July 5th at 6 am. Over this 30-hour Independence Day Enforcement period of “celebrating” July 4th, the point was to keep intoxicated drivers off the road. Although July 4th is considered a holiday weekend for drinking excessively, these startling statistics mean that there are still quite a few intoxicated drivers on the road.
The penalties, fines, and corrective measures have consistently gotten more severe over the years with mandatory breathalyzers being installed into the car for operation, home confinement, and jail time, especially for repeat offenders. Not to mention, realizing that getting behind the wheel could injure, or worse, kill others who come into contact with an inebriated driver could put them behind bars, depending on how severe the circumstances.
The dilemma as to why drivers still drive drunk with more knowledge than ever of the ramifications and with more options to opt-out from drinking and driving is an enigma. Ridesharing is an alternative that continues to grow due to the ease of simply clicking on an app for transportation along with the safety and the accountability that Uber and Lyft bestow on their drivers. There are also such low costs associated with getting one of these local rides home, especially compared to the cost of a DUI. Someone who abuses drugs and alcohol may reasonably think that ridesharing is a great idea, except when they are already under the influence.
The drunk reasoning
Some people use ludicrous excuses such as they drive better after they have had a few drinks or that getting a DUI or an accident would never happen to them. The truth is there is no physiological way that a person would drive better under the influence, and if they are drinking and driving, they are actually more susceptible to getting pulled over for their erratic driving and a greater chance of crashing into something.
The drunk logic
When someone suffers from drug and alcohol addiction, they have an allergy of the body and an obsession in the mind that tells them that they are not as drunk or as high as they really are. Even though they may be clearly slurring or having trouble walking, their brain is still wide awake telling them they are not drunk or high which is why many people get in the car after a night of extreme intoxication. They truly believe they are okay to drive.
Drinking and driving is still a problem and will continue to be one, unfortunately. There is no way to completely end driving under the influence without taking away all of the intoxicating substances altogether which is a whole other quandary of impossibility.
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