Don’t Blame Drunk Drivers!

Joshua
Varghese

31
March 2020

2020
Drivers ed Essay Contest

Don’t
Blame Drunk Drivers!

I
still remember the first time I experienced an accident. It was 5:40
in the morning, and I was waiting for my bus to come. I was waiting
in my dad’s car, parked alongside the curb. A few minutes later, my
dad began to blare his car horn while looking at the side of his
mirror. Of course, I was perplexed since we were stationary, and
there wasn’t a car in front of us. Suddenly I heard a crash on the
driver’s side. I looked over to see a car skid on the side of my
dad’s car and screech to a halt.

Of
course, it was not a life-threatening situation, but it goes to show
how careless driving led to an accident. While many say drunk driving
is the issue, I beg to differ. Being a sober driver does not prevent
them from making reckless decisions that endanger the lives of
pedestrians and drivers. Instead, firmer enforcement of driving laws
will persuade drivers to be more cautious while driving.

One
of the issues that arises with driving is impaired driving. However,
the problem may not pertain to drivers under the influence but rather
those who are sober. According to the CDC, around 85% of fatalities
caused by drivers in the U.S. in 2016 were sober drivers. The problem
is that these drivers are rarely ever prosecuted for their crimes.
Even a study in New York showed that up until 2017, law enforcement
only ticketed 1% of drivers who broke driving laws.

Undoubtedly,
sober drivers have a better chance of getting away with things like
an accident or even a pedestrian death. Many times these accidents
are ruled as a mishap, instead of a crime.

Driving
laws must be better enforced and properly checked. According to the
National Institutes of Health, since harsher penalties were enforced
against drunk driving in the early 20th century, the number of
fatalities caused by drunk driving decreased tremendously.

Drivers
must understand that they are utilizing a machine that has the
potential to kill. With this mindset, drivers will undoubtedly take
precautions when driving. I know when I start to drive, I will shut
off my phone and any other distractions to focus solely on my
driving. By spreading the idea that drivers are operating a killing
machine, there is no doubt in my mind we can decrease the number of
fatalities from car accidents.