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Drink Driving - Are you guilty of it?
You want to boogy with your mates after a hard day’s work but end up facing a sentencing soon after. What happens when you drink? You lose all sense of judgment and put yourself, your friends and other road users/pedestrians in danger.
Ever wondered why drink driving cases have gone up even though our local laws are tough. Yes Singapore has all the harsh laws in the world but that does not mean no crime. And it’s so true! Just look at the statistics. In 2006, the number of people nabbed for drunk driving in Singapore was up by 25 per cent compared to 2005.This year, 914 motorists were held for drunk driving during the first quarter as compared to 753 during the same period last year.
The irony here is the vibrant club scene that paints the town red all week. Pubs and clubs dangle carrots such as free drinks and alcohol offers to clubbers who would patronize their joints. And more clubs are staying open longer. The arithmetic is simple. The more spots that are drink friendly, the more drinkers will there be as a result. And businesses will find innovative ways to get you coming back over and over and staying longer. What other
way than banking on alcohol addiction and the social atmosphere that goes with it. Kick in soccer fever at certain times of the year thrown in with big screens to have boys do what they do best - soccer watching. The game fillers? Beer of course. The youths and old today are faced with so many temptations that every day is sure to be a dance with the devil when they drive or ride after a party.
Much has been said and preached to the offenders. The message could not be any clearer by the advertisements that have made their runs over and over. “If you drink do not drive or ride”. It is funny because in Singapore public transportation is world class. No MRT? Then you can always count on the Night Rider Buses or good old cabs. But we refuse to take such alternatives. Ask your friends why? They'd say, “We already own a transport and it’s stupid to spend money on public ones” A classic case of ‘penny
wise pound foolish’ I’d say. You couldn’t have spent more than the fine slapped on you when you do get caught!
Offenders do not listen. Laws are too harsh. So how do we solve this puzzle? Well I think drinking is a social problem and it has to be dealt with socially and with a civic sense instilled. Such civic responsibility takes time to become entrenched in society. Personal and group responsibility is the goal. Assign a driver in the group who does not drink much to drive you back. After all, a good friend takes responsibility for your safety. And if the assigned person does have too much to drink, just take a cab back.
Faced with peer pressure? Just tell them off politely. I recently read a letter from a reader on the Straits Times. He tells people, “I’m Asian, my body cannot handle alcohol”. Well he has read that Asians do not have the enzymes needed to digest alcohol as much as Caucasians. Think about it. Westerners come from a country that has seasons and the winters are cold. Alcohol is drunk with meat to keep their body warm. Taken in moderation and with food it hardly causes any havoc to your sense of judgment or body. In our country, with the humid and warm climate, we are just asking for trouble when we have more than necessary. So take a hold of yourself and learn to say No.
Though one might think that drinking involves a personal and civic responsibility, others might argue that we need legislation and guidance, not just laws. And where else to have them instituted then in the places that the drinks are offered. As much as pubs and clubs will resist in fear of the measures that can affect their businesses, it will help that more is done.
As suggested by some, the root of the problem should be tackled at the venue itself. . Some of the better clubs have breathalyzers for patrons to test themselves before they leave the premises. How to stop intoxicated patrons from driving away is trickier, but clubs should not flinch from deploying well-briefed staff for the purpose. If many establishments have this policy posted as a condition of
service, the message will carry. Clubs do arrange for taxis for customers who are falling-down drunk. Then there is the logistics of parking. Clubs should have some parking space reserved for patrons who can park and go off in friend’s cars with the assurance that their cars will be safe. I have a better idea. Perhaps clubs can hire staff who can drive their patrons home in their cars and make sure they get home safe and sound for a small fee. It only takes clubs and pubs are little bit more heart to care for their patrons and for people tol appreciate and accept it as a way of life, in time to come.
As an affluent society, we may not be able to ban drinking altogether. But I think a thinking society that can think of ways to reduce the ill-effects of drink driving is more achievable. Incidentally the Vatican Church in Rome issued the 10 commandments of Driving on June 19. Ps: You don’t have to be Catholic to follow the advice.
'Drivers' Ten Commandments'
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.
Be a smart alcohol drinker and save your life and possibly your liver.
