INTRODUCTION
One must understand the importance of safety while driving. Security is an important factor that must be considered in a person’s daily life. Drivers should not lose sight of the fact that their safety and the well-being of other road users are in their hands. Traffic accidents are mostly caused by drivers distracted by alcohol or other drugs. Distracted driving is the act of driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. It is extremely dangerous and has been the cause of most roadside car accidents.
PROBLEM
So far in 2016, around 10,467 people have died due to driving problems. More than 20% of these deaths are traffic-related, and many are caused by the use of drugs such as marijuana. In fact, more than 10% of people on the road at night, have marijuana in their system, and there is always a 25% chance of an accident occurring when the driver has marijuana in his system. These facts are really worrying.
Because of these problems, it is logical to have laws in place to curb them. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 VC, driving while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of the two is illegal. A driver who committed a DUI violation was charged with a sentence in court. Drivers who commit this violation also have their driver’s license suspended. It is very important to understand the severity of the problem, and it is equally important to know the risk factors.
RISK FACTOR
This driving disorder problem has several risk factors, especially for car drivers, motorcyclists, and young people. For children, the tendency to be involved in accidents when there is a high level of alcohol in the individual’s system is high. In 2016, 27% of young people between 25 to 34 years were involved in fatal accidents due to about 0.08% BAC. 26% of them were between 21 and 24 years old, and 22% were between 35 and 44 years old. This shows how risky this is for young people.
Risk factors are also high for motorcyclists. In 2016, 25% of motorcyclists in the United States died from road accidents and were found to have a BAC of 0.08% and above. Also, 38% of motorcyclists aged between 35-39 die in fatal accidents with a BAC of 0.08% and above. It also clearly shows how distracted driving affects motorcyclists.
PREVENTIVE MEASURE
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce this rising number. Below are some precautions that can be taken:
- Use of sobriety checkpoint
- Utilize a community-based approach to reduce alcohol use
- Drastic increase in alcohol prices with tax increases
For individuals:
- Avoid drunk or distracted driving – no alcohol, drugs in the system while driving
- Show drivers who don’t drink before drinking
- If the person has been drinking, he should uber/lyft and not drive himself.
CONCLUSION
Individuals and governments must take quick steps to address the problem of driving disorders. The increase in deaths from impaired driving continues to break the charts. As a result of this increase, residents must know the risk factors and how to prevent them. Precautions will reduce the risk of distracted driving and make the roads a safer place for everyone.
