Trending
This message is one we feel obliged to repeat this time each year. There are some people across our country, across our state and across our own area who will awaken Monday with a brand new year in the offing helped along with a drink or more. There will be so much promise and anticipation for 2024.
Many will celebrate and share good times Sunday evening with family and friends as midnight beckons the fleeting hands of 2023's clock. They will sing --or slur -- along to "Auld Lang Syne." Even if they don't know all of the words. Which, actually, most of us couldn't recite while sober.
Sadly, someone somewhere will be killed this extended weekend. Some will end up in the hospital. Some will be in jail trying to figure out what lawyer to contact through a hangover cloud of alcohol and embarrassment. Not to mention checking their bank account to see if they have enough to cover bond, a lawyer and fine. Then there always is the shame factor. Those of in the newsroom over the years can attest to the stark reality that there are those out there busted for DUI who are more concerned about their names appearing in print or online than the fact they could've been killed -- or killed others -- while impaired. That is the truth and that is a very distorted way of looking at things. And, yes, arrests are public record. If you get arrested this holiday weekend -- well, or at any time --your name will appear on our pages as will your subsequent court appearance. Consider that alone a deterrent before going out today without, perhaps, taking a pause about drinking and driving. You have seen the names on our pages. Do you think a single person out there has ever taken pride in seeing his or her name in print for an arrest? Thought so. And don't try calling us to keep an arrest report from appearing in print. We do not suppress arrest reports. Even if threatened or offered bribes which has actually happened before.
According to the National Safety Council, the New Year's holiday weekend can be deadly. (For the NSC, that period is from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday this year.) The organization estimates 375 people may die on U.S. roadways over that period. To use previous year's statistics to get some idea of how those deaths occur, in 2021, 40% of the fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. If the estimate is correct, and the same percentage applies, that would mean 150 deaths as a result of someone deciding to drive while impaired by alcohol.
Those are entirely preventable deaths. Over the next several days it is inevitiable: lives will be lost or damaged through mangled wrecks on highways across our fine land. Calls will be made to loved ones. Loved ones will go to morgues, to hospitals or to a jail to help post bond. Innocent people who happened to be at the wrong spot on the wrong roadway when a drunk came barreling in their direction will be hurt or killed. Lives will be forever altered. Kids will grow up without a parent, grandparent or maybe even a big brother or sister. How heartbreaking it is to realize how many young lives are lost or destroyed by drunk drivers. Each and everyone an innocent victim. And for what? The worst hangover is having one in a jail cell or hospital emergency room. Drunk drivers will be scattered around our roadways like confetti flying around as the New Year's Eve clock hits midnight.
If you are and out about this weekend, how confident can you really be that the car coming toward you hugging the center line isn't operated by someone who has had too much to drink? Even if they think they didn't. Which many drunks seem to believe. Unnerving, isn't it? Also, should you see a drunk driver, use #677 from your cell phone. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will appreciate the gesture.
Of course there so many big football game going on the next several days. Those are magnets for gathering friends and family. Those are magnets for letting beverages flow freely. And, after all, who doesn't like to have a beer -- for many, plural as in beers -- when watching games? With a few shots, maybe, of the harder stuff? At least it seems that way for many, doesn't it? Think of all the people who will be watching those big games while drinking. And then trying to drive afterwards. Go ahead and shudder.
New Year's Eve and Day rank with the deadliest alcohol-impaired driving days on our yearly calendar and it will likely be that way this time around. That is the stark reality of it all. That is indisputable. Check that out with the highway patrol, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. While you are at, ask a cop if there is anything safe about merely driving while buzzed, as it's called.
Village, township, city, sheriff cops and deputies in our and neighboring counties will be out in full force right through a festive Monday. Certainly, too, the Ohio State Highway Patrol. They will make a bunch of arrests. But now think about all of those driving around impaired who never get caught. Scary, huh? Especially for those of us driving along a roadway with young children or grandkids in the vehicle.
The point here isn't to preach. That can be insulting. More like inform and remind. We hope at least some of you can appreciate that. Perhaps the most scariest: An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest. Goodness! Think of how many close calls there has to be. Think of how the law of averages is lurking and ready to pounce. Please take a moment to consider all that is involved with driving and drinking. Go to the state highway patrol website and scan the stats. Shouldn't take longer than it does to suck down a beer or two. If all of this doesn't deter you from overdoing then what in the world would? If you are in a bad way tonight, don't think coffee, a cold splash of water on the face or one of those overpriced caffeine-infused drinks you get at the front counter of a corner store will sober you up quickly. And, no, popping a couple breath mints isn't going to fool a cop who is about to pull you over. C'mon, you are smarter than that. Cops are neither stupid nor naive. Don't insult them by assuming so.
Get a designated driver actually committed to staying sober throughout the evening. Call a taxi. Have your favorite bartender(s) get a ride for you. If possible spend the night wherever you are going to be. Beats spending the night in jail or in the hospital. And it surely beats ending up in the morgue. Around here we call that a grave consequence. Granted, it is unfathomable to think that anyone ever sets out to deliberately drink enough during a given time period to become legally drunk. Some think it will never happen to them. Often it is a good person making a single bad, sometimes life-altering decision. None of us are above that reality. But, please, play it smart. Simply awakening safely Monday morning will be reason enough to celebrate the beginning of a fresh new year. Keep your name out of our arrests reports. And certainly out of our obituaries listings. It is dreadful to even ponder. But certainly do so. Cars keys and empty alcohol glasses, bottles and cans do not go together. Have a safe, sober and Happy New Year's weekend. It will be a great way to welcome 2024!