Letter of the Day | Stop drinking and driving

THE EDITOR, Madam:

We are failing as a country to stem the irresponsible, reckless, and downright stupid behaviour called drinking and driving.

Our alcoholic beverage companies, unfortunately, prefer to spend more money on advertising their products and feel they can justify that they are being socially responsible by simply tagging ‘drink responsibly’ on everything. It is pathetic, to say the least.

Just this week alone, there have been a couple of drunken-driving accidents in Kingston. In the least, there are injuries, extensive damage to vehicles and public infrastructure, emotional and financial stress for families, and an extra burden put on our health services. But, sadly, there was also a loss of life.

The entertainment industry should be playing a major role in the safety of their patrons, many of whom are young people (our children!) but indirectly they actively encourage excessive drinking with their all-inclusive expensive ticket prices. Why not reduce the ticket price and let people decide if they want to purchase a drink or not instead of making people think they must drink their money’s worth?

Parents must do their part too. Driving a car is a privilege and a huge responsibility and, if your child is not responsible or disciplined enough to follow a commitment to not drink and drive, then they should not drive. It is better to pick up your child from an event in the middle of the night than to risk them driving drunk or being driven home by a drunk friend, which could potentially end in a tragedy.

Unfortunately, our crime situation does not encourage the luxury of a ‘get a taxi home’ culture that other countries can, because the fear of robbery, rape, kidnapping, murder, or being trafficked is a real one.

Friends need to step up and stop the peer pressure! If you know your friend is under the influence of alcohol, do not allow that person to drive, and look after yourself by refusing to get in a car with a driver who you suspect to be under the influence of alcohol. It is simply not worth the risk. Most parents will prefer a call requesting a pick-up in the middle of the night than getting a call to go identify their child’s remains at the morgue. While this letter seems to be directed at the younger audience, the rules are the same for adults who should know better!

I hope the Government can look at sourcing funding to supply police vehicles and stations with breathalysers..

A couple of years ago, my niece was hit by a blatantly drunk driver and, despite him being in the police station, he could not be breath analysed as they did not have a breathalyser at that station! The drunk man, who had already caused one accident, was free to sit behind the wheel of a car and go back on the road right under the nose of the police! That is total insanity! We need to take a strong stand against drinking and driving. There is currently no deterrent to force people to take the drinking and driving issue seriously.

Recently, the news highlighted schools that are implementing road safety and driving as part of their curriculum. Drinking and driving is an important topic that should also be included.

Drinking and driving is simply grossly irresponsible, reckless, and downright stupid. Let us stop encouraging this dangerous practice. Start with yourself and your family and ask yourself, ‘Are you doing your part or are you part of the problem?’

A VERY CONCERNED CITIZEN