Impaired
driving
I have worked part-time in the food/beverage service industry for several years and can attest to the fact that a casual two to three alcoholic beverages over a couple of hours' time is not an unusual amount of consumption for the average patron. I can now also attest to the fact that this same amount was all it took to bring my breath alcohol level to .13 - .05 over the legal driving limit.
Many of us are guilty of having an inaccurate perception of how much is too much when it comes to the law and/or our own impairment. We often tend to think we're less impaired than we are. It is wise to keep in mind that this error in judgment can result in the humiliation of a DWI arrest, license revocation and court - not to mention the financial burden created by the fines, license reinstatement fees, mandatory DWI class and assessments. The laws may seem strict, but we all know that there is good reasoning behind the stiffer penalties - to keep people from getting behind the wheel when impaired, regardless of the level of impairment.
There are far too many accidents and deaths related to alcohol consumption and there are certainly instances in which those involved are no more impaired (or even less) than I was on April 1. This is a hard fact to swallow ... a DWI is bad enough, but the thought of causing an accident that may take or severely change the life of another is unimaginable. We choose to think that something like that wouldn't happen to us - but chances are, many of those it has happened to thought the same thing before their lives changed forever.
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Whenever you drink any form of alcohol, I urge you to think of the potential consequences of getting behind the wheel of your car and choose not to. When you make plans to go out and enjoy a few drinks, the most important part of the plan should be designating a sober driver. Go ahead, take turns! Be safe.
Laurie Hanson
Park Rapids
