Prevent DUI Fatalities as Early as Possible
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Fatalities in drunk driving could be prevented. The easiest way would be to avoid getting behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking. So before involving yourself with activities that include alcohol, assign the driving to someone who will drink only non-alcoholic beverages. This would ensure that you’ll be safely home.
According to statistics, about 33% of Americans will be involved in at least one alcohol-related crash. In fact, 2006 statistics say that 1.46 million DUI arrests have already been made. During the same year, 41% of traffic fatalities came from people who are drinking and driving.
This is why many groups work toward passing stricter laws in order to punish offenders. Currently, groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) combine drunk driving prevention with new technologies. Some of these are:
· Advanced breath testing.
· Touch-based systems that will measure BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) through the skin.
· Visible light measures BAC through spectroscopy.
· Eye-movement measurement technology can also be used to detect elevated BAC levels through involuntary eye closures or other movements that represent drowsiness.
· Ignition lock can be connected to a vehicle’s ignition. The driver needs to blow in the machine to check his or her BAC. If alcohol has been detected, the vehicle will not start up. This is perfect for repeat offenders.
In addition, law enforcement officers or agencies should remain vigilant to prevent accidents. They can set up sobriety checkpoints or saturation patrols spread over a large area.
Tags: drinking and driving, drunk driving, dui, MADD