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More Than a Statistic

06 June 2017

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Mai, USS George Washington Public Affairs

Most Sailors are familiar with the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. We see and hear the messages that discourage drinking and driving, but it is still one of the leading causes of injuries or deaths in the U.S.
Most Sailors are familiar with the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. We see and hear the messages that discourage drinking and driving, but it is still one of the leading causes of injuries or deaths in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10,000 people were killed in drunk driving accidents each year from 2010-2014, or 1 every 53 minutes. The consequences of drunk driving are very real.

"People don't realize what kind of effect drunk driving will have," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Cole Weatherly. "They don't know what kind of impact it will have on themselves and their family, or on another person and their family."

Weatherly's step-father was involved in a car accident in which he and the other driver had been drinking. The passenger in the other car was killed and Weatherly's step-father was seriously injured.

"The accident brought us together as a family at first, but after he went to prison, it ended up tearing the family apart. He changed a lot, some for the good and some for the bad, but he's definitely a different person after the accident and my parents eventually got divorced."

The impact of drunk driving stretches far beyond just the intoxicated driver affected. Alcohol-related traffic accidents involve passengers, pedestrians and occupants in other vehicles. Other victims include the family and friends of the drivers, any passerby, and even the police officers and medical team that have to see a traumatic scene.

"My friend in high school drove drunk, got into an accident and was seriously injured," said Damage Controlman Fireman Nawaz Sharif. "He didn't hit anyone, but he ran into a tree. He was a top athlete with scholarships, and after the accident, he lost all motivation to do the usual things he did, like sports, and he lost all his scholarships."

Consequences of drinking and driving can include loss of rank or pay, separation form the Navy, civilian punishments such as jail time and fines, and possible injury or death.

"Most people probably feel they can handle the alcohol," said Sharif. "They don't consider other people and forget about everything else that matters when they drink and drive."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving costs the U.S. $44 billion a year. A first-time offense can cost the driver up to $20,000 in fines and legal fees.

"If someone is seen drinking and you know they were driving, you should step in and do something to stop them from driving," said Weatherly. "Call a taxi or someone or take their keys. Too many people will stand by and watch someone drink then go drive back home and think it's not their problem. They need to start making it their problem."

The Navy offers many programs to curb drinking and driving. Many ships, including USS George Washington (CVN 73), offer a "Safe Ride" program for Sailors to take a taxi home. The taxi service will bill them at a later date. For more information about the "Safe Ride" program, please contact your departmental drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA).

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/.
  
 

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