In the past few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about how drunk driving has this perception of being the absolute worst thing you can do when you’re behind the wheel of a car. It’s certainly a poor decision — but there are plenty of other driving actions that are just as distracting and disorientating that make a driver more dangerous.
Related to the perception of drunk driving is a recent survey that found many people are taking driving under the influence much more seriously. People are making sure that they have a sober driver lined up if they are going out for a drink and, in general, there seems to be more awareness about the risks and consequences of drunk driving — which seems amazing given just how much attention the issue of drunk driving receives anyway.
The survey was performed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and it found that half of the adult who were at least 21 years of age had been a designated driver in the past year. Another 39 percent responded that they had a designated driver in the last year. These are great pieces of information that show people are continuing to learn about the potential dangers of drunk driving.
Now, if the spread of information about how drunk drivers are not terrible people who deserve to be ostracized and made fun of could just make the rounds, that would be another great step in the right direction. People who have DUIs are still people, after all. People make mistakes, and many people with a DUI learn from their mistake and take action to correct their behavior.
Source: Public News Service, “Survey Indicates a Shift in Perceptions About Drunk Driving,” Nov. 18, 2014
