Drunk Driving effects more people than you realize.

I actually agree that it should be taken more seriously. I also believe that a zero tolerance policy should be enforced. Driving while "tipsy" is still driving with impaired judgment.

I truly accept this that drunkun driving effect more people then I realize.

i beleive that drunk driving should be the same offense as premeditated murder, i know it will sound ridiculous to many but if your drunk and you are choosing to get behind the wheel you are deciding that your going to drive even though you have the potential to kill somone through your impairment, i dont think that it will ever go this way but i think that it should. So many people have lost loved ones because one person decided to drink and then drive and its a problem that has to be stopped, as is the case of the person posting this affects whole communities. One positive thing to think about when it comes to this is that statistics are showing the prevalence of drinking while driving is decreasing in the generations, the most offences of DUIs are laid against people in and above there 40's, those who grew up when the roads werent as fast, there werent as many people on them and there was more social acceptance or just ambivilance about drunk driving, this is good news that todays generations are simply not getting behind the wheel drunk nearly as much as previous generations did, however it does still happen and the way to prevent this completly is still eluding us. I work right next to a bar (i do night audit at a hotel) and the workers there grossly overserve there customers and last friday a man who was about 60 was determined he was going to drive home because he didnt have the patience to wait for his cab to come and he even resorted to throwing glasses in the bar to get his way and his friend was physically restraining him all the while he had his keys in his hand, why would someone not just take the bloody keys (the police are not going to charge you with theft for taking a drunk persons keys oout of therre hands and holding them until the person was on there way home and dropping the keys in there mailbox). Anyways the point is that whole bar full of young people who all took cabs home or had DD's (the bar gives free pop and snacks to them) and the one idiot trying to drive home was 60 shows that the problem is getting through to people but not quickly enough so that this never happens again.

Thanks. Help spread the word?

Good option. I wish more people realized how serious this is.

I agree with you. I never drink and drive.

Too bad you can't make other drivers do the same. In the meanwhile, if you see someone drinking and driving, try to take away the keys. They may be unhappy but you might save someone's life.

Sure, Sorry about the problems. It is the wikipedia article on the Carrollton bus disaster.

Thank you for posting a better link

This one works, too. I just hope it's the right story... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrollton_bus_disaster

Thanks, keep passing the word on!

Even drinking buzzed or tipsy is dangerous. Thank you for helping get the word out about this.

So I am guessing as an employer when you run a background check on your employees, you won't be hiring any one with a DUI in the future. I wish more employers would view this as a big issue, it would help save more lives.

Unfortunately, the drunk driver runs over the pedestrian in far too many cases.

Not only when drunk but also when "buzzed" or "tipsy". At any point where your reaction time may be slowed, you cab kill someone when driving. Even being just tired can be enough.

Thanks. such a simple message but so many people get it wrong. I wish there was some way to better express that even "tipsy" driving or "buzzed" driving is deadly.

I've considered public speaking (as Patty's Mom did go on to become the president of MADD for a while) but I am not sure that this is something that I am physically capable of currently. I am disabled and this would put a great deal of strain on my body. I do try to share my story and remind people whenever I can though.

My condolences on your loss. In Austin there are a few different programs that help get "tipsy" people home safely. I hope there are some in other cities as well. It has been our tradition to give time and/or money to these programs each year in memory of those we loved.

Wow! How could you read something like that and be glib about it? What is wrong with you?

Hopefully that point is filtering down. The horrors our tiny town went through should not have to be visited on anyone.

What country are you from? I am asking because I am making vacation plans and have enough difficulty dealing with it here where it is illegal let alone when I am trying to relax.

The wounds are healed but the scars remain a reminder. Thank you for your sympathy. I know this holiday season in Austin there are several different programs that will allow you to get home free when you have imbibed too much. I just hope folks will use them.

I think that has to be the understatement of the year! Deadly is not a strong enough word to describe drunk driving. And tipsy driving kills too!

And it effects more than just the victim and his/her family and friends. Our entire community was at a loss, big gaping holes ripped through the fabric of a tiny town.