Losing a friend in a drink driving accident two years ago, I feel quite strongly about this topic and the different solutions available to lessen the number of lives taken on the road.

I’m unsure how common it is in your country, but I know this criminal offence prevails here in New Zealand.

Unaware of the statistics, I’m guessing that it occurs mainly in the younger, male population, aged 19-25.

We have regular advertising on television showing us the shocking, nauseating truth that can result from drink driving. But is this enough to stop people?

The extensive amounts of money invested in advertising makes me cringe; however, this is not to say I believe this money is totally wasted, because I’m certain the more righteous, receptive and intelligent individuals ‘do as they are told.’

Instead of the Governement using the tax-payers money for communicating what we already know, why don’t they listen to the demographic creating the offence, thereby learning the underlying reason why they drink drive?

Belonging to this demographic, I believe I have a fair understanding of what causes this group to drink and drive: they cannot afford taxi fares. In New Zealand, the taxi fares are understandably high, due to the high price of fuel. But why doesn’t the Government invest the money usually spent on advertising into subsidising taxi fares for this segment of the population?

Just to illustrate how expensive our fares are, here is an example: To go from my house to town, where the popular bars are situated, is a 20 minute drive, costing roughly $35.00 (about US$24.00). And then don’t forget the return journey, plus the high-priced alcohol—due to excise tax—plus the door charges on some bars. Ultimately, the night becomes extremely expensive for a student, who may be flatting, and who no longer has an allowance from their parents.

In your country, is there a similar situation, in which monotonous, yet disturbing, advertising reaches out to the public, telling you in vain not to drink and drive?

(And since this is an English Forum, please indicate any errors I have made or indicate how certain sentences could be improved).

Losing a good friend to drinking and driving, I feel quite strongly about this topic and the different solutions available to lessen the number of lives taken on the road.
I’m unsure how common it is in your country, but I know this criminal offence prevails here in New Zealand.

Unaware of the statistics, I’m guessing that it occurs mainly with the younger, male population, aged 19-25.

We have regular advertising on television showing us the shocking, nauseating truth that can result from drink driving drunk driving. But is this enough to stop people?

The extensive amounts of money invested in advertising makes me cringe; however, this is not to say I believe this money is totally wasted, because I’m certain the more righteous, receptive and intelligent individuals ‘do as they are told.’

Instead of the Government using the tax-payers tax payers’ money for communicating what we already know, why don’t they listen to the demographic creating the offence, thereby learning the underlying reason why they drink drive? drive drunk?

Belonging to this demographic, I believe I have a fair understanding of what causes this group to drink and drive: they cannot afford taxi fares. In New Zealand, the taxi fares are understandably high, due to because of the high price of fuel. But why doesn’t the Government invest the money usually spent on advertising into subsidising taxi fares for this segment of the population?

Just to illustrate how expensive our fares are, here is an example: To go from my house to town, where the popular bars are situated, is a 20 minute twenty-minute drive, costing roughly $35.00 (about US$24.00). And then don’t forget the return journey, plus the high-priced alcohol—due to excise tax—plus the door charges on some bars. Ultimately, the night becomes extremely expensive for a student, who may be flatting, and who no longer has an allowance from their his parents.

In your country, is there a similar situation, in which monotonous, yet disturbing, advertising reaches out to the public, telling you in vain not to drink and drive?

I don’t watch much television, but the ads I have seen are fairly effective: a billboard, for example, reading, “I’m sorry I killed your little girl while driving drunk.” Another showing professional people being interviewed after getting arrested for drunk driving. Another detailing the real cost of a DUI conviction (at least $10,000).

My only other comment is that, if you subsidize taxi fares, aren’t you just promoting drunkenness? Why not focus on reasonable consumption and the consequences of not drinking reasonably?

My only other comment is that, if you subsidize taxi fares, aren’t you just promoting drunkenness? Why not focus on reasonable consumption and the consequences of not drinking reasonably?

Although this is a good point and a good idea, I do think this is a fight that cannot be won if approached this way. Binge drinking is engrained into the culture, and I feel only time, or laws on levels of consumption, can prevent this from continuing. And technically, you don’t need to be drunk to need a taxi. You can be just slightly tipsy and be in need of a taxi lest you come across a breath-alcohol stop.

I think humans, especially young adults, will always indulge and abuse mind-altering substances; it has been on-going for thousands of years.

I don’t know if the Government can affectively have that much say and control over people’s lives, unless they wish to illegalize alcohol; this will somewhat fix the problem.

I think sometimes the Government should accept the way things are, rather than changing them, and make laws, rules and recommendations accordingly.

What do you think? And why no t.v.? Something to do with not using the brain enough? I think you may need to give it a break.

Point taken. Taxes really hurt so much but still the taxes we are paying is the life blood of our nation and responsibility is always a responsibility. For as long as we live, we can’t get away with taxes because we are all citizens.

In my country, drink driving incidents are mostly related to driving motorcycles. Motorcycles, for me, is one of the most dangerous vehicle. It’s more dangerous when the driver had so much to drink. Despite being fuel efficient, I don’t approve of motorcycles. Tv news covering road accidents related to drink driving make me cringe all the time. It saddened me to think that people still risk driving despite being drunk.

I think you may need to give it a break.

Do you mean give it a try or give it some thought? Give it a break means to leave it alone for a while.

Im the subject of drunk driving among the younger generation, I actually agree with you in many ways. Younger people take more risks, use bad judgment, and seem to think they are somehow invincible. I have read that brain development continues through early adulthood, and that younger people are just not as grown up as they seem to be.

So maybe reasoning isn’t the answer, and prohibition certainly isn’t. Maybe we should have drunk buses instead of taxis.

What do you think? And why no t.v.? Something to do with not using the brain enough? I think you may need to give it a break

I’m referring to the brain. Perhaps you need to give it a break and watch some television…

And I have read and heard something similar. I leanred your brain is going through changes, which I suppose we must call development, ‘till you’re 25!

You have to wonder, however, do neuro surgeons—and the like—know enough yet about the brain to know how detrimental these substances really are on our brain.

Most drugs listed on the web explain in detail the short term effects of their usage. But pertaining to the long term effects, scientists have no idea yet, and they state this clearly.

Like many other things about the world that are now revealed, for example the world is round, maybe drugs will be revealed to have benefits, such as curing cancer.

I’m not trying to justify their use; I’m just saying that we can’t rule anything out; otherwise, generations to come will look at us as if we were ignorant, sort of like how we deem earlier generations outlook on many things short sighted and ignorant.

Perhaps you need to give it a break and watch some television.

I need to do just that, but I have a hard time turning it off. Don’t know why. I’ve always been that way.

generations to come will look at us as if we were ignorant.

They will anyway.

Young people will always do things differently. It seems to be a universal trait. And not a bad one.

They will anyway.

Very true.

Young people will always do things differently. It seems to be a universal trait. And not a bad one.

Yes, who’s to say they are not living normally, and the elder live differently?

Your country sure has a lot of tax. I do think that drunk driving is a universal problem. Though i don’t know what our government is doing to stop all possible victims of this, i do hope that more people should be sensible and be responsible for their actions.

Regards,
Louie
prêts travaux

Take your advertising “Louie” (if that is your name this time) and go away.

Louie was reported earlier today.

You reported him?  He is here under different names more than once, or his whole clan with the French financial bit.  And the gall he has of pretending to be ‘interested’ in what the thread concerns.

gall

Is that a pun on the French connection?

Did not want to put cojones.  And NO IT IS NOT A PUN, Only you’d see it as such. Xheeeeesssee!