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My hometown was forever changed on
Labor Day weekend of 2000. The Ford Bronco flipped several times and
took the life of one of the passengers, my friend Dale. When I
opened the newspaper that morning, I never thought I would find his
name in the obituaries. He was young and making a name for himself
in the Tallahassee music scene.
Soon after the accident, Dale's parents and friends initiated a
campaign. Bumper stickers that read, "Buckle up for Dale," were seen
all over town. While I too supported the idea of a seat belt
crusade, I felt the stickers should have read something different.
What people didn't realize about that tragic day was the driver of
the Bronco had been intoxicated. The stickers should have read,
"Don't drink and drive for Dale."
Driving under the influence of any substance is a dangerous
situation. Not only could it cost you time, money and community
service hours, it could also cost you your life. The Georgia
Governor's Office of Highway Safety reports that one out of three
crash deaths involves alcohol. Robby, the drivers of the Bronco,
killed Dale. Robby survived, but he was left paralyzed.
When I entered college, I had the attitude that nothing could happen
to me. Like thousands in Athens, I went to a bar one night with some
friends. Convincing myself I was sober enough to drive, I got into
my car and proceeded down Lumpkin Street. I had not made it three
miles before the police stopped me. The officer informed me of my
reckless driving. Apparently, I had unknowingly swerved into the
curb twice, which is why he pulled me over. My first thought was, "I
am going to jail." That is exactly where I went.
Luckily, I didn't have any lawsuits or hospital bills, but I did
have to spend two nights in jail and pay $1013 in fines and
probation fees. Plus, I had to pay $300 for state mandated DUI
school and a course in alcohol education. My lawyer cost an
additional $750. I was sentenced to 100 hours of community service
and 12 months probation with the state of Georgia and UGA.
There is another punishment; it cannot be measured with money or
medicine. There is the embarrassment: your name in the paper for
everyone to see, the endless calls of disappointment from family and
peers and the rejected job applications because of your conviction.
Fortunately, I did not injure others or myself. According to a 2001
county study by the GOHS, 53 percent of people in alcohol-related
accidents in Clarke County were killed. You cannot put a price on
the pain and suffering of losing a loved one.
I hope you can learn from my mistakes. There is no excuse for
drinking and driving. I was lucky, but you may not be.
This article is published in the 2004 spring issue of The
Informer. |
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