X.D.A.D.D.

1/30/03

In a small town in Louisiana called Donaldsonville, there was a young man who one day had aspirations to become apart of the United States Marine Core. On the day of December 26, 2001 those aspirations were killed. 16 year old Shane Anderson, “was hit from behind and sustained a closed head injury that killed him instantly; he never knew what hit him. The impact caused his body to fly over 60 feet before landing in a nearby ditch. The driver had a BAC of .127 and was on probation for manslaughter during the time of the accident. A grand jury ruled a no true bill on the charges of vehicular and negligent homicide. Now he only faces DUI 1st offense. He was never charged with speeding, leaving the scene of an accident or violation of his probation.”

Alcohol is a very powerful source. It has the power to do so many things. When alcohol is abused or misused the results could be fatal. “Alcohol is nothing new, it has been apart of human culture since the beginning of recorded history.²” The problem with alcohol is that when consumed it has the power to manipulate the brain without consent. Alcohol is not very hard to come by. Yes, you are supposed to be a certain age to buy alcohol in the United States, but it is extremely easy for a high school student to get his or her hands on a bottle of Tequila. There are many problems associated with that. The main problem being drinking and driving. Since alcohol has the power to alter or impair the mind it only makes sense to see the high percentage of alcohol related accidents. “Almost 50% of Americans will be involved in a alcohol related traffic accident.”

Drunk driving is a problem that affects everyone. It is a problem that can hurt the guilty, but more importantly the innocent. Month after month, there are reports of innocent drivers that fall victim to a drunk driver, Shane Anderson can personally attest to that. Simply put, drinking and driving does not make sense. It does not make sense on paper, it does not make sense in an objective forum, it does not make sense in theory, and it just does not make sense. We know that drinking, even the slightest amount, and may cause a person’s awareness to decrease. With this knowledge, why are there still so many people out on the streets who think they can beat the facts; drive while under the influence, and still make it out? One may beat it a few times, if lucky, but sooner or later, destiny will catch up and play its part, more importantly cause havoc.

The impact of drunk driving is extreme. Drunk driving can ruin not only a single person’s life, but an entire family or even a community. The majority of the time, the person or persons killed in a drunk driving accident are innocent people. It really should not be called a drunk driving accident. People who drink, know that alcohol can diminish motor skills. When they get behind a wheel, thinking they can out smart fate, they are wrong. When they get behind a wheel under the influence it is no accident, they get behind that wheel all by themselves. They purposely put themselves in that position. They make themselves prone to the possibility that they could end of dead or kill someone else. It is a sad situation. The problem with drunk driving is that it is very hard to control. People can have alcohol whenever they want it. People can also drive whenever they want to. With the combination of those two factors, only a negative and possible fatal end is near.

            When ever there is a problem, the logical thing to do would be to look for a solution. The problem being drunk driving and the solution, well if I only knew the correct answer. There are many possibilities. Prevention programs and awareness could help. The more that is known on a subject the more someone will think more into their actions. How many more innocent people have to die before people get the picture? Drinking and driving kills, it is simple and plain. The facts are there to back up the reasoning. Drinking alters and impairs that brain to think. Driving involves thinking. If drinking can cause harm to your driving skills, then no one should drink and drive. A simple if and then statement clears it all up. It is not brain surgery. It is a huge problem that is affecting the future. Something has to be done about it.

We have all heard of M.A.D.D.(Mother Against Drunk Driving) and S.A.D.D.(Students Against Drunk Driving), but I vow to start my own, X.D.A.D.D(X-Drunks Against Drunk Driving).

December 24, 2000 at approximately 4:30 am my life changed forever. I had just fallen asleep at the wheel on my moms mini van. I was awoken by a loud noise, just as my car jumped the curb going what was estimated at around 60 mph. I quickly turned the steering wheel to avoid a telephone pole, but instead Smashed into a rod iron gate. My front driver side tire, flew completely off, about 75 feet in front of where my car was wedged between the gate and telephone pole. I got out of the car, as if I were in a dream. Very shaken up, I did not know what to do. The police came and the officer told me to walk to line. After walking extremely crooked the officer asked me had I been drinking. I quickly responded no. He asked me once again, and this time he told me to tell the truth, so I confessed, “Ye-Yes sir I was drinking tonight.” The office looked at my father, who came as quickly as I called him to let him know I was in a accident, who then turned to me with a look that will haunt me forever, I just knew my life was over. Little did I know, my life had just begun.

            The day before Christmas, I went out with some friends and we all got drunk. It just happened that I was the one that drove that night. I got drunk, fell asleep at the wheel, and possibly could have killed myself. Had the car swerved to the left and not the right, I would have taken out a donut shop with about 20 innocent bystanders getting their fresh coffee before they went to work. I was one of the lucky ones. I got my second chance. A year and a couple days of the one year anniversary, a boy who I never knew never got that second chance. A stupid drunk driver just knew he could drive that night, but fate had other plans. Shane Anderson was not as lucky as I. This is why I know there is a problem with drinking and driving. With awareness and prevention, possibly each year we will see a decline in the number of deaths related to drinking and driving. This is why I firmly believe in X.D.A.D.D.

            I am not saying that I have all the answers, because I don’t. I do know that it took a glimpse at death to change my life. Before December 24, 2000, I never thought twice about drinking and driving. I had done it many times. I just knew I would do ok. Of course I have heard stories about people who have been killed while drinking and driving, but I was too naïve to the fact that it could happen to me. Reality finally hit, it came in the form of a rod iron gate. That is what it took me to realize there was a serious problem. I am not saying that everyone who drinks and drives should fall victim to this life treating incident, but if it will wake some people up, then bring on the gates!

            “In the year 2000 in the state of California there were 193 deaths due to alcohol.” I could have been 194.

Sources:

http://www.madd.org/victims/0,1056,5677,00.html Date accessed 1/27/03

http://www.jbpub.com/dsonline/6e/8/outline.htm Date accessed 1/29/03

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/2002YFCAF/frperpop.html Date accessed 1/29/03

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