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How to Prevent Drunk Driving in Working Professionals?

Posted on Jan 11, 2012

DUI has been a continuing problem not just across the country but all around the globe. Many of those arrested for DUI are working professionals. An assortment of associations and advocacy groups has put together a diverse method of programs, legislations, and plans but none have been able to figure out how to prevent drunk driving in working professionals.

Working Professionals and DUI

The problem seems to be going on and on. It appears that every time you look at a news broadcast, there is an account of a working professional that has caused a drunk driving accident. This dilemma has almost become intolerable in the general public. A few ideas that have been discussed around the nation to overcome this DUI problem include:

Increased Legislation to Prevent DWI in Working Professionals

In some states there is a successfully implemented legislation which bans open containers in municipal areas; this ban includes open containers in vehicles as well. Even if this kind of legislation is effective in these states is has not been proven, however empirical evidence seems to suggest it works.

Special Identification for Repeat Offenders

Another idea that has been suggested in some circles is specially designated license plates for those who have been convicted of drunk driving. There can also be an indicator on their driver’s license signifying their DWI convictions.

Restrictions of DWI Offenders Driving Privileges

There is also the idea of restricting nighttime driving of offenders and for those with multiple conviction of DWI. Electronic devices can be used to keeping an eye on those who repeatedly drive while drunk. Ankle bracelets can also be installed with breath analyzing devices that disable the cars of repeat offenders if that have elevated blood alcohol levels.

DWI Education and Instruction

Many have suggested that the government should provide extra instruction in schools and universities along with additional information concerning alcohol abuse and drunk driving to those applying for drivers licenses. Government entities can also use the money for DUI fines to increase the amount of public service announcements on television and radio.

Constant Reminders Are Needed

A little more education, awareness, and harsher consequences would probably be the best mixture to prevent drunk driving in working professionals. Furthermore, producing a sense of social unacceptability could further reduce drunk driving incidents in the future. Constant reminders of the hazards of drinking and driving drive home the point much more effectively than one-time seasonal ads and newspaper articles.

How to Prevent Drunk Driving In Young Adults?

Posted on Dec 29, 2011

Preventing drunk driving in young adults is a question that worries every parent with teenage kids. The best solution is to handle the situation at home. A young adult driving drunk is a scary scenario and is a parent’s worst nightmare.

Adolescent DUI Scenario

It is half past ten and your child has not returned. After a worrisome hour or so, you hear a thud on the door and you recognize it as a police officer’s flashlight. When you open the door, you see the blue and red light flashing in the background and horrible thoughts go through your mind. The police officer tells you that you have to come down to the station to pick up your adolescent that has been arrested for drunk driving. After your initial thoughts, it is almost a relief to hear that your child has just been arrested and is not in a drawer at the morgue or comatose in ICU.

Key to Preventing Drunk Driving In Young Adults

After this scenario you and your kid need to sit down for a talk. You should give them the facts first. Start with the statistics and the end results of many DUIs. Do not do all the talking; give them a chance to explain themselves. If you listen long enough they may come to some positive conclusion on their own. Parents are not experts on the subject but they can prepare themselves before hand by reading up on all the advice that advocacy groups offer for free. Being involved at your sons or daughters school will go along way also. If you are extra vigilant and have a good relationship with your child, this conversation would have happened long before the patrolman’s knock on the door. The key is to begin early and stay involved in your adolescent’s life.

When It Comes To DUI, Somber Parental Choices Are the Key

Do maintain a good, positive bond with your child but don’t become the best friend who never really brings up serious issues with them. It’s good to understand your children but don’t be the cool mom or dad that buys alcohol for their adolescent children. The other extreme to avoid is the extremely authoritative parent that does not really listen to their concerns. A happy medium is needed to help prevent drunk driving in young adults.

Alcohol Abuse, DUI, Drunk Driving, Teenage Drunk DriversNo Comments »Alcohol Abuse Drunk Driving DUI Youngsters

Implementation of Alcohol Interlocks to Control Drunk Driving – Can this be an effective move?

Posted on Oct 26, 2011

Drinking will not be replaced as a source of entertainment in the nation anytime soon and this is also the case with driving. This need not be a source of concern or a problem as long as both the things are not combined. One way to separate the two would be through the implementation of alcohol interlocks to control drunk driving. Some people are promoting this method of curbing drunken driving by claiming that this can be an effective move.

Alcohol Interlock Devices Have Generated a Movement

The utilization of Alcohol Interlock mechanisms, that stop a vehicle from being started if the operator has a particular level of alcohol in their blood stream system, has been doing well in some states. Because of this, a movement has spawned that promotes making these devices standard equipment on cars manufactured in the U.S.

Benefits of Alcohol Interlock Devices

Many anti-DUI advocacy groups along with a few legislators have joined this movement. In addition, one European automobile manufacture has already offered comparable apparatus as optional features on some of the models they produce. This has encouraged these groups by proving that the technology is viable. There is an array of objectives that can be accomplished with the implementation of alcohol interlocks. These include:

Incapacitation
Deterrence
Punishment
Rehabilitation

Recent Advances in Alcohol Interlocks by US Researchers

Recently vehicle manufactures in the United States have started working improving alcohol interlocks. The new technology allows the detection of alcohol from an operator’s skin pores. This is much less obtrusive than the current technology, which requires a driver to blow into a tube. This ease of use may make the public more acceptable to having alcohol interlocks in their cars.

Concerns of Privacy Advocates

Privacy Advocates oppose the use of alcohol interlocks to curb drunk driving based on freedom and confidentiality concerns. They fret that those who do not drink will also be forced to give samples, and they are concerned about the sharing of these samples with government agencies. There is also staunch opposition from the bar and restaurant industry associations for obvious reasons. They fear the effects these devices will have on their business and they do not share an enthusiasm to control drunk driving.

Alcohol Interlocks to Control Drunk Driving –Are People Ready for Them?

At present, the initiative is far from being implemented and it may just remain a dream of anti-DUI advocacy groups. Many citizens are not aware of the drive to make alcohol interlocks a standard safety feature on automobiles. As more people find out about these movements, we will be able to get a feel on whether the public is ready for such a move.

Are you concerned about any particular challenges associated with the use of alcohol interlocks on all vehicles? We would like to hear your thoughts on it.

DUI, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »Alcohol Interlocks Drunk Driving DUI