Drunk Driving By: James Hammer Drunk Driving causes multiple injuries and can ruin ones life that is a serious problem for society

Drunk Driving Statistics This year 10,839 people will die in drunk driving related accidents. That is one every 50 minutes! One in three eighth graders drink alcohol. 33% will be involved in an alcohol related crash in their lifetime. Every minute one person in injured from an alcohol related crash.

Statistics Continued 50% to 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license. 1 in 5 teens binge drink. Only 1 in 100 believe their teenager binge drinks. Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year. Which is more than all illegal drugs combined!

More Statistics Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and 1 out of 3 are alcohol related. Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol related crash. Drunk driving costs each adult in the United States about $500 per year.

My Personal Experience Whenever you are drinking, don’t take the chances of driving because it can cause serious injuries and you could end up in a situation like me. The reason I am saying this is because it has already occurred to me. When I was driving down Highway 1049, in a 2004 Mustang GT, three state troopers pulled up behind me, then I looked out my rearview mirror and upon seeing them, sped away.

My Experience - Continued Then I looked at my speedometer displaying 147 mph, then I lost control of my vehicle and drove directly through a barn before lodging my car between two trees. After hitting those trees I took myself to a friends house, where state police arrested me for drunk driving.

The Consequences of My Actions As a result of my drunk driving I lost my driver’s license for two months and am currently serving probation for one year. Physically, I had four cracked ribs and a lot of bruises. If at any time I break the conditions of my probation I will have to spend two weeks in jail.

MADD When MADD was started MADD was incorporated on September 5, 1980 the mission or purposes of MADD as stated in its Articles of Incorporation were “To aid the victims of crimes In 1984, MADD changed its name from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

MADD- Continued In 1985, MADD’s mission statement was again updated In 1992, MADD adopted a more simplified mission statement, which was “The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving and support the victims of this violent crime. By 1999, MADD had greatly expanded its work on preventing underage drinking and emerging research underscored our efforts to prevent youth alcohol use.

Treatments for Drunk Driving The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Among alcoholics with otherwise good health, social support, and motivation, the likelihood of recovery is good. Approximately 50% to 60% remain abstinent at the end of a year's treatment and a majority of those stay dry permanently. Treatment may involve one or more medications. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety drugs used to treat withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and poor sleep and to prevent seizures and delirium. These are the most frequently used medications during the detox phase, at which time they are usually tapered and then discontinued. They must be used with care, since they may be addictive

Economic cost of Drunk Driving Insure.com According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), there is an alcohol-related traffic fatality in the United States every 48 minutes. If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, it will likely drive your car insurance rates through the roof. It doesn't end there. Your DUI conviction will follow you if you apply for life insurance rates and could affect your premiums there, too.

KY Drunk Driving Laws 1st Kentucky DUI Offense First Drunk Driving Conviction Jail – From 2 Days up to 30 Days Jail –Aggravated DUI – 4 Days Fine – From $200 to $500 License Suspension – From 30 to 120 Days Alcohol or Drug Treatment Program – 90 Days Community Labor – 48 Hours to 30 Days

KY LAWS- CONTINUED 2nd Kentucky DUI Offense Second Drunk Driving Conviction Jail – From 7 Days up to 6 Months Jail – Aggravated DUI – 14 Days Fine – From $350 to $500 License Suspension – From 12 to 18 Months Alcohol or Drug Treatment Program – 1 Year Community Labor – 10 Days to 6 Months

KY Driving Drunk Penalties DUI THIRD OFFENSE (WITHIN 5 YEARS) - FINES: $500-$1,000; JAIL: 30 days - 12 months in jail (minimum 60 days in jail if aggravating factors present); LICENSE SUSPENSION: month suspension; OTHER: 10 days - 12 months community service, 1 year alcohol or substance abuse treatment program; Ignition interlock device or vehicle license plate impoundment. DUI FOURTH OFFENSE (WITHIN 5 YEARS) - FELONY - FINES: $1,000-$10,000; JAIL: mandatory minimum 120 days imprisonment without probation (240 days minimum if aggravating factors present); LICENSE SUSPENSION: 60 month suspension; OTHER: 1 year alcohol or substance abuse program; Ignition interlock device or vehicle license plate impoundment.

KY Drunk Driving Fatalities It is possible that a driver who was impaired may have been driving properly and a “sober” driver or pedestrian caused the wreck or collision. Such incidents are classified as a “alcohol related fatality.” Even if the wreck or collision was caused by a non-drinking party. Thus the reported DUI fatality statistics are skewed in favor of making the actual number of fatalities “caused by drunk drivers” appear higher. ATV Fatalities Kentucky leads the nation so far in 2009 in deaths caused by ATV’s (all terrain vehicles). Through Sept. 17, 2009 there have been 14 ATV related deaths in Kentucky. None of the persons killed wore a helmet.

Criminal status of DUI laws in KY In Kentucky, 1st offense is a class B misdemeanor, 2nd offense within 5 years is a class A misdemeanor, 3rd offense within 5 years with a BAC under.18 is a class A misdemeanor, 3rd offense with a BAC of.18 or higher is a class D felony; 4th and subsequent offenses are class D felonies. Citation:§§189A.010(5), & (2)

Fatalities- Continued ATV Fatalities Kentucky leads the nation so far in 2009 in deaths caused by ATV’s (all terrain vehicles). Through Sept. 17, 2009 there have been 14 ATV related deaths in Kentucky. None of the persons killed wore a helmet. Drunk Driving is the cause of these Fatalities from = total 42, = total 42, = total 43, = total 42, = total 41,059

KY Alcohol Related Fatalities Fatalities = 913 Alcohol Related = 257 Percentage = 28%

Tennessee Alcohol Related Fatalities Fatalities =1,286 Alcohol Related = 478 Percentage = 37%

Indiana and Utah Alcohol Related Fatalities Indiana: 1.Fatalities = Alcohol Related = Percentage = 32% Utah: 1.Fatalities = Alcohol Related = 63 3.Percentage = 22%

Conclusion Drunk Driving causes a lot of Fatalities and Penalties, that could cause you to go to jail or spend some time on probation, if you get caught drinking while driving, It could cause you to loose your licenses up to months, then when that time is up you can go back and get them, but they might tell you that, if you get caught again like they did me you will loose them forever.

SOURCES Hanson, David. "Alcohol Problem and solutions." Drinking and Driving. N.p., Web. 10 Jan (Drunk driving statistics) MADD serves a victim or survivor of drunk driving every nine minutes. Hanson, David. "Drunk driving statistics." MADD. N.p., Web. 10 Jan (The Century Council.org) Billingsley, Stan. "Kentucky DUI Fatalities." Law Reader. N.p., Web. 12 Jan “Kentucky Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties." Driving Laws. N.p., Web. 12 Jan