Reason 2

 

Drunk driving: It affects everyone

The social issue I picked to write on is drunk driving, which in today’s society has become a huge issue. Back when I started driving, drunk driving was not looked upon the same as it does toda. People who were involved in an alcohol related crash or accident were usually not punished like they are today. Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the most dangerous things you can do. There is a mass of information out there on how alcohol affects your body pertaining to driving. Excessive drinking has become a bigger problem in today’s world not only with college kids but with older people to.

IF you have been reading the news, it seems like almost every other day, someone is involved in a drink driving accident and innocent lives are lost. Statistics between 2010 and 2018 showed that there were 2,364 accidents related to drink driving, with 1,196 people killed. On average, 132 people are killed annually or one person is killed in a drink driving-related accident every three days. It was reported that the World Health Organisation even marked Malaysia as one of 35 nations with a “high” rate of drink driving accidents. Last month, 316 motorists were caught for drink driving. In 2019, 919 individuals were nabbed for the offence while in 2018, 862 were booked for driving under the influence of alcohol. These numbers suggest the problem is serious and, likely, rising. It was reported on Friday that in a bid to arrest drink driving accidents, the police are conducting a daily operation codenamed Ops Mabuk nationwide.

 Crucially, with the number of crashes and deaths mounting, particularly in the past two months, our drink drinking law has to be reviewed. The government should not hesitate to impose a stiffer penalty and sentence on these irresponsible and reckless road users. They should also whip out severe punishments for road killers. Killing a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is akin to premeditated murder. Any drinker can tell you that even before they take the first sip, they know that if they get drunk and get into an accident, they could possibly kill someone. Therefore, there is no excuse for the government not to punish them severely.

 The proposal to double the punishment for drink driving from 10 years’ jail to 20 years and from a RM20,000 fine to RM100,000 under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 should be supported. It’s not a harsh punishment if a drink driving accident claims a life. Stricter penalty for drink driving is long overdue in Malaysia. The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) 2012 research revealed that a drunk driver is 13 times more prone to cause an accident, compared to a sober person. But it’s not just about enforcing tougher penalties. Malaysia is also known to be one of the most tolerant countries in the world in terms of the permitted blood alcohol content (BAC) limit. Malaysia’s BAC is 0.08 but countries like Taiwan and Japan impose a much lower BAC – 0.05 and 0.03 respectively – to make it legally intoxicated. Studies have also proven that a higher BAC decreases one’s reaction time and alertness on the road, especially after drinking. Therefore, Malaysia should not only impose a stricter sentence for drink driving but lower the permitted BAC limit – perhaps to a zero-tolerance policy to discourage drink driving. There is an urgency for this new law to be introduced. There is a need for the government to start pushing for its basic legal framework and allow the proposal to be tabled in Parliament sooner. Tougher laws need to be introduced to safeguard innocent lives.

 

Drinking and driving don’t mix. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. Drinking affects judgment, depth perception and physical reaction time. The effects of a split second decision cannot be reversed. Know these risks posed when choosing to get behind the wheel.

Safety

Driving is a risk we all take every day. Drivers need to be alert and attentive when operating a vehicle. Drinking impairs that ability. Driving under the influence puts all lives at risk, not just the life of the driver. Passengers place trust in all drivers on the road. Bikers, pedestrians, children crossing roads, pets chasing a ball, even people enjoying the outdoors in the safety of their property are at risk of being a victim of a careless drunk driver. Careless decisions can erase all the boundaries that protect us.

Financial

The cost of a DUI resonates years beyond the incident. Fines are the immediate impact, and insurance premiums increase for the long term. Job opportunities can be lost years after a drunk driving incident occurs. Credit reports can be impacted. These costs are tied only to a drunk driving arrest. Next are the rehabilitation costs such as treatment. Finally, an accident or loss of life that results from a drunk driver can lead to endless financial consequences. The legal fees, the cost of repairs to property and the liability paid out to victims can paralyze individuals and their families.

Mental and Physical

Distress from drunk driving remains with victims, families and the accused for months or years following an incident that may have lasted only minutes or seconds. Sudden physical impairment or unexpected death is traumatic. Few people can cope with these losses even with a strong support system and professional resources.

Emotional

Grief, depression, anxiety and many other emotions can impact someone affected by drunk driving. Split second decisions to drive can lead to life altering events and unimaginable consequences. Guilt can overcome convicted drunk drivers while anger may harvest within victims or their families. There is no permanent remedy that heals feelings of loss and safety. The emotional impact remains forever.

The effects of drunk driving cause a ripple in so many lives. Take steps to prevent long-term impacts in anyone’s life: designate a driver, have taxi numbers and trusted friends’ numbers on hand, and most importantly, hand over your keys. Protect yourself and the lives of your friends and family. Drink responsibly. Stay sober. Don’t drink and drive. It’s not just your life you will affect.