Driving while impaired has become a dangerous game for people who don't understand the risks. Every day, 37 people die in the United States from drunk drivers - according to the NHTSA.
In the picture above, a woman in 2014 was driving drunk and headed the wrong way on a highway. People reported her swerving all over the place before the inevitable happened: She struck an oncoming SUV and killed 6 people. Miraculously, she survived.
In a completely preventable action, this person selfishly decided to drive while intoxicated. In fact, below is a chart to show you how alcohol affects the body with % of alcohol in the blood:
Peer pressure to drink can be a real problem in companies and families. While out on a hockey game with colleagues 15 years ago, I remember being shouted at by colleagues for stopping drinking. "Why did you stop?" they shouted. "Have another!" came another scream. I left the game immediately. The crew, a bunch of people who I worked technical support for years, because bunch of monsters after a few drinks. I quietly phoned my now late wife and told her I would be leaving immediately. I had drank a diet coke at the arena.
Just as I left the arena, I heard my manager get into a shouting match with security. "F*** you!" he yelled at the young man. A few were aggressive and angry. They continued drinking and eventually, one of them got into a fight with another person at the arena. They were kicked out of the hockey game. They went to the bar to continue drinking. This lasted until 4AM the next day. Many did not make it into work the next day - including my so-called "manager".
I never forgot that evening. I felt intimidated and out numbered.
Driving while intoxicated on Cannabis is a different story. It can slow down your reaction time like alcohol and make spatial distances impossible to know. Time is skewed and your reaction time is greatly diminished.And while marijuana can be considered less powerful than alcohol, it can be laced with drugs without your knowledge.
In many cities around the United States and Canada, the police are starting their evening check stops for impaired drivers.
My advice is simple: If you are going to drink, don't drive and take a cab or Uber. One final warning: Never let your drink sit alone for any reason when in a public space.
You might be drugged with a date-rape drug, wake up in a stranger's house, without your identification or wallet.
Be careful this holiday season.
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