So when I woke up this morning, I had no idea I was going to write about drunk driving; but everything changed when I saw some friends on Facebook with drinks in their hands and then started to read some of the blogs I’m signed up with.  One, the Phoenix Real  Estate Guy, had posted on  his experience with drinking and driving when someone he knew, 16 year old Kelly Tracey, was killed a couple of years ago.

The wave of frustration over the pointless deaths of so many people got to me and I needed to do a little research on the subject.

Why do so many people drive after they have been drinking?  Why does society put up with it?  Why is such a destructive drug so widely desired and given such a prominent place in our lives? Why is it socially acceptable to be intoxicated – to lose your inhibitions that protect you and cause you do to things that are naturally destructive?

Alcohol Facts:

• Alcohol is bad for your health
• This year, it is estimated that 10,800 people will die in a drunk driving crash
• Alcohol destroys families
• Every minute there is one person that is injured by alcohol related crashes
• Alcohol directly causes death
• Over 30% of all accidents involve alcohol
• Alcohol changes your perception
• One in three 8^th graders drinks alcohol
• Alcohol alters your thinking

I suggest that if you are reading this article, then change must start with you – whether you drink or not, the odds are 1 in 3 that you will be affected by a drunk driver in some way.

What you can do…

1. Watch the video below – Warning: it is graphic with some disturbing images.  It is well worth your time and by far the best video I have seen on the subject
2. Share this post with your friends by using your social media outlets
3. Resolve to never drive with alcohol in your system
4. Become more aware of the negative effects alcohol has on your health and family

Statistics and information were provided by:

• The Century Council
• MADD
• National Highway Traffic Safety Association