Buzzed Driving - Mugshot

Drunk or impaired driving killed nearly 13,000 people in 2007. That's one person every 40 minutes. That makes it everyone's problem.

It seems that many people were doing their part to put a stop to this completely preventable epidemic. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities reached a low point in the late 1990s. Research also indicates that 62% of Americans exposed to the now-iconic Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign have personally intervened to stop someone from driving drunk, no doubt saving countless lives.

However, since the late 90's, alcohol-related driving deaths have been steadily increasing. It seems that though the campaign was very successful, it did not change the behavior of many potential impaired drivers. Many thought the messages to be targeted at overtly drunk drivers, and not them. When decision time came, they would consider themselves merely "buzzed" and get behind the wheel.

The new PSAs created to address this gap were released in December 2005 with the objective to inspire dialogue and recognition of the dangers of "buzzed" driving and subsequently, to motivate people to stop driving buzzed. The next installment expands on this message, equating buzzed driving and drunk driving and demonstrating the devastating consequences that can occur as a result of buzzed driving. The overall campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ad council
• psa
• buzzed driving
• drunk driving
• drunkdriveprevent

[4olddc]

It doesn't matter here in Virginia if you blow a breathalyzer and you have been driving, you will be arrested. My ex husband got Arrested for DIP ( Drunk in public ) and Swearing in public.

[travelsonic]

As much as drunk driving is a legitimate issue, these ads are becoming PAINFULLY dishonest.

If "buzzed" enough - a completely arbitrarily defined term, you will get arrested, but for something different [albiet slightly] than actually being at/over the limit... and if you're way below the limit [0.1 - 1.2 I'd say] then most won't care, and it isn't illegal. Nevermind that your impared nature also depends on a lot of factors - weight, , body size, metabolism, even how much food you had.

[TomGezen]

@sdsmith29 lol impaired at 0.1 regardless of tolerance, thats funny.

[MultiRump]

last comment

[jfabproductions]

no buzzed is buzzed driving drunk is drunk driving

[sdsmith29]

@stagpeacebringer This is 100% true. However, based on personal tolerances, body size, metabolism, etc., everyone is affected by alcohol differently. Some people have 1 drink and are tipsy. Others 5-6. The law states being over 0.08 is illegal, regardless of personal impairment. In Canada, the law states that being over 0.1 means you ARE impaired, regardless of tolerances, and will be prosecuted.

You can still be charged for DUI at under .08, if you're clearly impaired by the alcohol.

[TheBookWorm1718]

@stagpeacebringer But how is that any less tragic or unfair than if they were sober but just speeding or not paying attention? Because plenty of that happens too. Reports are actually saying now that texting and driving is worse than drinking and driving. So yeah, from a point it sounds so easy just don't drink and you won't be buzzed or drunk, but everybody reaches the legal limit at different points, it's not 1 size fits all and they proved Prohibition doesn't work.

[stagpeacebringer]

The fact is ANY amount of alcohol decreases your ability to drive safely. Yeah, I mean from a LEGAL standpoint, sure .07 is legal. Does it seem fair if you actually DO kill somebody or cause injury? Obviously not.

[grgemclr1992]

yeah I know it sucks its cause they have to draw a line somewhere...they just screw up their line

[humananus]

thats how it goes in australia.