Drunken driving is an issue frequently talked about in our society. Driving under the influence of alcohol has become more and more common over the years, despite the nation's attempt to hinder it. Adolescents are educated about the risks and dangers of driving drunk starting at a very young age, and the media serves as another source of information, warning all about the horrendous effects of drunken driving on our population. However, it is left up to the individual to decide whether or not to get into a car after drinking. It is a decision of ethics, and there are many ways to approach this decision.
One method of making a moral decision is to decipher whether or not what you are doing is the best repeatable act. For example, if you were contemplating driving drunk, you would ask yourself, "if every time I was drunk I chose to drive, would that be the best decision?" In the case of drunk driving, always choosing to get into the car while under the influence of alcohol would be an extremely poor decision. By rationalizing and telling yourself that you will only do something on one occasion, you ignore the fact that "just one time" could be the time something horrible happens. Repeatedly putting yourself in a drunken driving situation just heightens your chance of hurting yourself and all those around you. .
Another way of approaching the question of whether or not to drive drunk, as well as any other question of ethics, is to contemplate the future consequences of your actions. By choosing to drive drunk you are taking on many risks. You take your life and the lives of everyone around you into your hands. You have the potential to kill or seriously injure yourself, other people on the road, or any passengers in the car with you. By taking into consideration the severe pain and heartache you could bring upon yourself, your family, and the family members of others, you should realize that drinking and driving is never the right answer.
