Why I won't ever drive drunk.....

[poltr1]

It happened 28 years ago today. A family takes off early in the morning for their summer vacation. 5 minutes after leaving home, they get hit by a drunk driver, killing the father, who was driving the car.

That man was Tim Simard, one of the science teachers at my high school. While I personally didn't have Mr. Simard as a teacher for any of my science courses, I saw him in the halls and recognized him on sight.

That year, even though I didn't drive at the time, I vowed that I would never drive drunk. Now that I've been driving for a while, I know that when I'm behind the wheel, I need to feel that I'm in control. I've driven after 1 or 2 drinks, which (for my body weight) isn't quite driving while ability impaired (DWAI), but I've had to be extra vigilant and alert. Any more than 2 drinks and I'm going to pass the keys to someone else.

That's the best way I can remember Mr. Simard.

Shout-outs: Happy birthday to happyfunpaul and to figmo! And a happy belated birthday to stormraven37!

Comments

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Hurrah for sensible people and not killing yourself and other people with the huge metal thing on wheels. Seriously. A personal experience like yours (or worse) seems to be what it takes most folks to take that seriously, and I'm damned if I know why. Have a great holiday!

[egoldberg.livejournal.com]

One more place where America could be more like Holland:

- if you do a single beer, you are considered unqualified to operate a vehicle safely.
- if you are caught doing the above a few times, your privilege to operate a motor vehicle is permanently revoked. Tough luck.

[kliklikitty.livejournal.com]

What a wise and wonderful way to remember someone. Even in death he was a teacher, who taught a valuable and lifesaving lesson that I hope many of your fellow classmates took to heart.

My second husband's favorite cousin was killed in a drunk driving incedent. I'll never be forgiven for stating a sad yet obvious fact. Tommy was at least partly to blame for his own death. He chose to go out and get drunk with his friends then climb into a car where the driver was as drunk as he was. When they met with a light pole there were no survivors. Tragic for the whole family and the wife and infant sone left behind. But we all have to accept the consequences of our actions. I won't get in the car with a driver who is drunk. Rusian roulette is not a game to be taken lightly