Aspects of Impaired Driving - Essay Example

The Criminal Code of Canada considers looks at this matter so critically that it refers to impaired driving as a crime. When someone is found involved in this activity in Canada, the police may confiscate his/her license, fine the accused and even send him/her to jail for some time. In San Diego, “a woman who admitted she was driving under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamines was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison” (Michael, 2012). To apply these charges, it is not important to find the person driving the vehicle. These charges may be imposed upon a person if he/she is caught sitting in the driver’s seat.

Impaired driving is extremely hazardous. It is a potential source of risk not only for the driver but also for everybody who is on the road. A significant percentage of the total road accidents that happen around the world can be attributed to impaired driving. “Alcohol-impaired drivers are involved in about 1 in 3 crash deaths, resulting in nearly 11,000 deaths in 2009” (CDC, 2011). The hormonal imbalance and adrenalin rush caused by the consumption of drugs and alcohol makes the driver lose his/her ability to sense the proportion required for safe driving. “When the alcohol content in a person's blood is more than 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, the person can be convicted of being "over the legal limit" (being "over 80")” (Department of Justice Canada, 2011). The more the amount of alcohol in the blood, the more it becomes difficult for the driver to estimate distances and react sensibly to sudden changes in traffic. Consequently, the driver can speed up the car more than required or push the brake abruptly causing the on-coming cars to bump into his/her car.

Impaired drivers are a potential source of inspiration for teens and juveniles. Teens look at impaired driving as a means of immense fun and enjoyment. Impaired driving is something in which they can not only consume alcohol and drugs but also enjoy wild driving and make their wildest fantasies come true. There is no doubt in the fact that impaired driving is very enjoyable as the driver feels like he/she is a participant in a race in a video game, and this is what attracts youngsters towards it. Impaired driving should be prohibited so that the young generation may not be stimulated to indulge in such irresponsible activities.