Are you part of the solution?
Whenever you come across a problem, you automatically determine what kind of solution is required to solve this problem. We sometimes get frustrated with the problem, but we often feel better or relieved when the solution was put in place and we can continue along with our lives. Sound familiar? So, let me ask you this – are you part of the problem or part of the solution when it comes to reducing impaired driving?
When it comes to impaired driving, the problem of course would be the individuals who decide to get behind the wheel while impaired. The more they drink, the more their judgement, decision-making abilities and reaction time is seriously affected in order to drive safely. Around the world, this information really comes as no surprise, yet people still drive impaired. Sometimes they get home, sometimes they get arrested, sometimes they crash their vehicle, sometimes they injure someone and sometimes they kill someone. Sometimes they kill themselves.
Those are some pretty big problems, so why would anyone want to be part of a problem like those? Let’s make a personal promise to yourself that you’ll be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Make a solid plan to avoid driving while impaired.
The plan to avoid driving while impaired has to begin before you start to drink. You need to use logic and common sense to put a plan together before your judgement gets impaired. A solid plan begins with having an alternative way home, instead of driving your own vehicle. If you leave your vehicle at home, there really is no temptation to drive it at the end of the night. There can be additional items within your plan to allow you to avoid driving impaired. The choice is personal. But there can be some difficulty following through with the plan for some people.
Part of the difficulty of keeping your promise is that alcohol affects your logic the more you drink. You may well indeed have a solid plan in place and have promised to yourself that you will stick to your plan. Unfortunately, those are just words. If there is no one else with you following said plan, that plan falls by the wayside. And if there are others with you, if they have been drinking as well, they may not remember the plan either. What we need are visual reminders that you do have a plan in place. Luckily, there is one.
Not Your Child Corp offer individual breathalyzers to help you follow your plan. Taking it with you each time you want to put your plan in place to avoid driving impaired, offers you a visual reminder. Keeping it in sight, such as with your keys throughout the night will help you to stay focused on the plan. It may even be a conversation piece. The more you talk about your plan, the better chance you will be able to follow it.
Keeping the visual aid of a breathalyzer needs to become the new normal each time you go out socializing. It’s a great way to be part of the solution and reduce the number of people who drive impaired each day. Our friends at Not Your Child Corp are also part of the solution. They can help any individual or corporation become part of the solution to stop impaired driving.
Scott Marshall has spent over 30 years promoting road safety in many jurisdictions. He has been a road safety journalist since 2005. Scott was also an on-air judge on the Discovery Network’s Canada’s Worst Driver during their first 3 seasons on the air. Not YourChildCorp. is proud to have Scott @Safedriver as a frequent contributor, his insights are irreplaceable.