Writer Mara Eason
America is a really great place, but it still has problems. One of those problems is driving under the influence. People die every year because of drunk or even buzzed driving. Either you hit someone or they hit you. A drunk driver does not even need another car to crash. People also may think that everybody dies in these accidents, but they do not all die. Some live, but they are scarred physically and/or mentally.
People should be more responsible. If someone drives to a bar and drinks, he or she should call somebody for a ride. I am sure your family would prefer a call from you than the police, saying that you have been in an accident or arrested. Drivers should consider all the others they take a chance of hurting. Not only the person you crash with, but if they die, you hurt their family, friends, and others that they might know. People could use this tip when they go to parties, even when you go to a friend’s house. People should be responsible enough to realize that they can’t drive. When you are under the influence of alcohol, it impairs your senses. Someone who is drunk cannot react to things on the road as well as someone who is sober.
Something else drivers can do is have a designated driver. That way you do not have to worry about calling somebody. An especially great time to use this is when you go to a bar with a group of friends. That way those people will not get in trouble with your family or police! When people choose a designated driver they can save lives. You and a group of friends can take turns being the designated driver. Plus, it is not all that bad — that person get free sodas!
If all else fails, you can always walk. When you think about it, it is better to walk then drive. When people drive they can cause more trouble. Drivers can walk to a hotel so they can sleep it off, or they could walk to somebody’s house that they know. You can use this tip when you go to a bar by yourself. You could walk to somewhere with a phone. You probably would not get in as much trouble if you walk. You could always go get your car the next day. People could use this especially if they go to a friend’s house for a party that is near their home.
I picked this topic out of all the others because I think it has become a real problem. People are being hurt and dying in these accidents. This problem is personal to me because my mom had an aunt that she absolutely loved with all her heart. Then one day she was driving, and another car, a semi, pulled out in an intersection when the driver was not supposed to. The driver was drunk. My mom’s aunt’s car went under the semi. She was decapitated. It really kills me to see how much it hurts my mom when she talks about it. She cannot even mention her name without starting to cry. Now I will never get to meet my aunt because of this semi driver’s irresponsible act!
Sincerely,
Mara Eason
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of several letters of opinion written for WNLP by students in teacher Jen Sass’s sixth-grade class at Boston Middle School.
