When a young life is taken, suddenly, in a car accident, it traumatises a whole community. It’s so sudden, so unantici- pated. Here today, then gone. We are left wondering, “If only he hadn’t driven in that state; we should have made him stay overnight and drive in the morning”.
But what if it became part of our culture to simply not let anyone out on the roads if they were drunk, what if it was something that was frowned upon? There are some countries like that, and their road death tolls are noticeably lower. If drinking and driving was no longer accepted, it would make a huge difference.
Then, what about pedestrians who have drunk too much? Stats show that most of the 600 pedestrians who are killed on our roads every year were under the influence of alcohol. Break that down: “under the influence” means that something else is calling the shots here, and that’s the booze. If you’re gesuip you can’t walk straight, let alone see straight or judge distances, and you’re way more likely to step out into the road just as that family car is coming along.
Stats also show that young male pedestrians are those most likely to die after drinking, with the highest-risk group being between the ages of 20 and 29. That means whole families suffer, as these are the up-and-coming breadwinners.
The tragedy is made even worse when considering that these deaths can easily be avoided. How, you might ask? By simply not tolerating dronk op straat, on foot OR behind the wheel. If you agree with what Bobby is saying here, talk to your neighbours about it, and encourage them to talk to their neighbours. That’s how real change happens, from the middle, and that change begins with you.