Drunk Driving/Cause and Effect
Drunk Driving
Despite many efforts to reduce drunk driving, it continues to be a problem in the United States. About 10,000 people die in the United States each year due to drunk driving. In the article Drunk Driving: Why Is MADD Among Critics of Lower Alcohol Limit?, NTSB chair Deborah Hersman said in a statement "Most Americans think that we've solved the problem of impaired driving, but in fact, it's still a national epidemic," The drinking age has been raised to 21, and the legal limit was lowered to .08 BAC. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) was formed by a grieving mother, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) was founded by a teacher after two students were killed in drunk driving accidents, and many other laws have been put into place. Unfortunately, the problem persists.
One effect of drunk driving is getting a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). Receiving a DUI or DWI can result in being arrested. When someone is pulled over for suspicion of driving drunk, the officer will usually do a field sobriety test. This consists of three tests. The first is a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus which basically checks the reflexes of the eyes; the second is the walk-and-turn which is a “divided attention” test. It requires the suspect to listen to and follow instructions while performing simple physical movements that can be done easily by most people who are not impaired. The third test is the One Leg Stand. This test is also a “divided attention” test. It requires the suspect to stand on one leg while counting until they are told to put their leg down. If the suspect does not pass these tests, it usually means they have a BAC of .08 or higher. Failing the above tests and having a BAC of more than .08 will result in arrest.
There are negative effects of being arrested for drunk driving. A person who is arrested will have to appear in court and pay court fees. Being arrested for drunk driving can also result in
Despite many efforts to reduce drunk driving, it continues to be a problem in the United States. About 10,000 people die in the United States each year due to drunk driving. In the article Drunk Driving: Why Is MADD Among Critics of Lower Alcohol Limit?, NTSB chair Deborah Hersman said in a statement "Most Americans think that we've solved the problem of impaired driving, but in fact, it's still a national epidemic," The drinking age has been raised to 21, and the legal limit was lowered to .08 BAC. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) was formed by a grieving mother, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) was founded by a teacher after two students were killed in drunk driving accidents, and many other laws have been put into place. Unfortunately, the problem persists.
One effect of drunk driving is getting a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). Receiving a DUI or DWI can result in being arrested. When someone is pulled over for suspicion of driving drunk, the officer will usually do a field sobriety test. This consists of three tests. The first is a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus which basically checks the reflexes of the eyes; the second is the walk-and-turn which is a “divided attention” test. It requires the suspect to listen to and follow instructions while performing simple physical movements that can be done easily by most people who are not impaired. The third test is the One Leg Stand. This test is also a “divided attention” test. It requires the suspect to stand on one leg while counting until they are told to put their leg down. If the suspect does not pass these tests, it usually means they have a BAC of .08 or higher. Failing the above tests and having a BAC of more than .08 will result in arrest.
There are negative effects of being arrested for drunk driving. A person who is arrested will have to appear in court and pay court fees. Being arrested for drunk driving can also result in