Drink Responsibly, DRIVE Responsibly

This advertisement challenges readers notion of drinking and driving, and the taboo of the topic. Next time they are out they can drink and drive, but only when done in a responsible manner. While past cultures were much more relaxed to drinking and driving, many deaths and injuries have occurred when people drank to the point of impairing their motor skills and judgement. Thankfully, MADD and aggressive enforcement by police have nearly ended these tragedies in younger generations. However, these changes have constructed the idea that we should never have a sip of alcohol while operating any kind of machinery, especially vehicles.

However, nearly all of us have some basic knowledge whether it's first-hand or via academic means such as health class, or a formal alcohol awareness training, knowing how much is too much. We are argued into the position that we shouldn't have a drop of alcohol if we are driving for the evening. When talking to friends or family we may hear, "Don't drink and drive" rather than "Drink Responsibly" and this shows how well some of these anti-alcohol advertisements work. They do not explain that you can have a mixed drink over dinner is perfectly responsible consumption of a alcoholic beverage. A beer or a typical 1 or 1 1/2 oz. pour mixed drink will leave you far under the .08 BAC that will land you in jail with a DUI. Of course, people should know how they respond to alcohol and stay under the limit and the limit of their body. This zero tolerance of alcohol has also spread through the work environment, and in many circles you would not be looked at as a trusted individual if you were to grab a beer at lunch, even if you were applying for a job at a bar and grabbed a beer while waiting your resume may go right into the shredder, or, more likely, the garbage can.

As with any substance whether it is food, soda pop, or alcohol, nothing is particularly dangerous unless it is consumed to the point of excess. Small amounts of alcohol can be beneficial to your health. A glass of wine with dinner can enhance your dinner, and shouldn't induce a fear-filled anxiety attack because you are paranoid about receiving a DUI.

Drinking in a sense is a body practice that we do, and many have the perception that in order to have a good time you need a drink in your hand, and slightly buzzed in order to enjoy oneself. At least I know I feel awkward when I do not have a drink of some sort in my hand. It might just be a pop, but for some reason I feel as though everyone knows that it is not alcohol. Furthermore, working in a bar and as a bartender many people in the bar service industry label those drinking pop as cheapskates, even though they are being responsible individuals. Unfortunately, whether purposely or not, many have even been conditioned by the movies, friends, and society that you need to get a "buzz" in order to enjoy yourselves while out. I would never promote trying to push it with staying under the limit and driving, but there is no reason you should shy away from ONE drink with a co-worker after work. We need to challenge the idea of drinking in order to enjoy ourselves, but also respect the fact that it is possible to drink responsibly and operate a vehicle. One drink doesn't mean you are a wreckless person and should have a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle. Even though I feel this way, if I have a can of beer after work and drive a vehicle I feel like I am a criminal the way I have been culturally molded by my parents, MADD presentations, and even the overhead billboards on the road saying no drinking and driving.