| Drinking and driving is a serious offense that can | | | | for yourself. The most obvious is to not drive if you |
| have deadly consequences. In recent years the | | | | have been drinking. |
| problem of drunk driving has gained nation-wide | | | | If you are going to go out drinking, take steps to |
| attention and caused stricter enforcement of existing | | | | ensure a safe return home. The best method is to |
| laws, along with the inception of new laws and | | | | have a designated driver pick you up and take you |
| penalties for this dangerous crime. | | | | home at the end of the night. If your driver ends up |
| In the US each year, about forty percent of traffic | | | | drinking, do not get back into their car and do what |
| fatalities are the result of drunk driving. Estimates | | | | you can to keep them from driving. Take the keys |
| from 2003 run as high as 17,013 deaths and 500,000 | | | | and give them to the bartender, he or she will know |
| injuries in alcohol-related automobile crashes. | | | | what to do. |
| The past twenty years has seen increases in the | | | | Use your cell phone to call for a ride, either from a |
| severity of penalties even for first-time offenders. | | | | friend or family member, or, if necessary, a taxi. |
| Penalties vary by State but include license suspension, | | | | Keep some extra cash ready in case you do need to |
| fines from $250 to $1000, up to six months in jail, | | | | call a cab for a ride home. |
| probation for six months and two weeks of | | | | Anything that you can do to avoid drinking and |
| community service. If death, injury or property | | | | driving will ensure that a good night's party doesn't |
| damage occur, penalties increase dramatically. | | | | end up a horrible tragedy you wish you could forget. |
| There are simple ways to avoid drunk driving charges | | | | |