I'll not harangue, especially since most of you will agree that impairing yourself, then slipping behind the wheel of a 1.5-2 ton projectile is not a wise move.Here's an interesting link related to drinking and (hopefully) not driving: http://www.saferide.org/
In the Air Force, we sometimes get extra days off when we meet our goals. One of these goals is "Alcohol Related Incidents" (ARIs) below a certain number.
Generally, these incidents involve stupid young folks who "forget" that underage drinking is both illegal and against the regulations. The Security police find someone sleeping it off under a bush or in a dayroom, or are called to respond when an eighteen-year-old decides everyone in the barracks must hear his new album on his new stereo.
Less frequently, it's an older NCO (occasionally an officer) who really ought to know better, who gets pulled over when returning to the base from a night out. We generally get annoyed when we don't get our "Productivity day" off.
Then there's the times (fortunately, infrequent) when someone gets drunk and does something patently stupid. Then we're less concerned about losing a day off, and more concerned about losing a comrade.
It takes about 1-3 seconds for your brain to process the images your eyes see, formulate a response, and act upon it.
In 1-3 seconds you travel ~28-85 meters at 100 km/hr (~90-270 feet at just over 60 mph). When you drink alcohol, you slow your response time. The more you consume, the slower the response. At the same time, your ability to judge this impairment is also impaired.
Do us all a favor. Don't risk killing yourself or another person. Don't risk jail or the simple destruction of property.
It's summertime in the northern hemisphere, and many of us are planning on having ourselves a fit just as soon as possible. I won't ask anyone to engage in "feels-good-but-does-nothing" behavior like publicly pledging not to drink and drive. Instead, I will just ask all of you to plan ahead. If you're gonna drink, don't drive. (Don't let your heavy-drinkin' buddy do your driving, either.) Take the bus or a cab. Let your sober friend drive. Sleep over. Walk (with adult suporvision).
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