What will it take to stop drinking and driving?

It was not difficult finding articles relating to teenagers. An article that stuck out to me was the Tuesday, March 27, 2008 Providence Journal. The article was about a Barrington teenager who was sentenced after hitting a man while driving intoxicated on December 29, 2007. DUI and driving drunk is very common, especially with teenagers and young adults. Within the past six months three DUI incidents have hit close to home. One of incidents was at the end of January and one of my friends was killed in that drunk driving crash.
I call it a crash not an accident because any time someone drives under the influence it is not accident, the driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel; just as this teenager made the decision to drive after he had been drinking on December 29th. In the article the court chief judge, Jeremiah said “Barrington police recently referred 12 other teens to his court on alcohol possession charges.” Recently 12 teens in Barrington alone, and 12 is only the number that got caught.
Jeremiah also spoke about the sentenced teen calling him “intelligent”. I feel as though most of the people who get themselves into a situation such as DUI are intelligent, but what happens to make them think they can drink and drive? Where are the friends who are drinking with the individuals, how can they allow them to drive?
The sentenced teen’s blood alcohol content when he was pulled over on the 29th was .035 which is below the legal limit, but because he was not 21 years of age it is illegal. If you under 21 any blood alcohol content level will get you arrested!
This teen was sentenced to six months in the state training school, 200 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim and undergo alcohol counseling. The teen’s layer, Dana, was happy with the judges decision he feels, “It keeps my clients future intact. It allows him to continue on with his life without lifelong ramifications.” “These types of offenses will not go without severe punishment.” In my opinion 6 months in a training school, some community service and counseling is not severe punishment. This teen does not have lifelong ramification, but what about the victim and his family?

Tuesday, April 8th I am having an event at 7:30 in Browne Hall upper lounge: How to Make You Happy Hour Last. Please join us!