Drinking & Driving – Make the Right Choice

It happened 40 years ago today, but I still remember it well.  My brother Johnny lost his life in a horrific car crash.

19 Year Old Johnny Zacher died in car crash May Day weekend, 1976

Sadly, he was driving impaired at the time.

 

John Melvin Zacher June, 1956 - May, 1976
John Melvin Zacher,1956 – 1976. We miss you brother.

Johnny was a typical 19 year old — full of life, loved his muscle car and had a promising future ahead.

He made a bad choice late one night and it cost him everything.

After drinking alcohol for several hours at an outdoor field party, Johnny chose to drive his car home rather than take a ride with a sober friend.

Intoxicated and moving at highway speed, he missed a curve in the road and was killed in the resulting rollover.

 

Johnny has been mourned and missed by his family and friends ever since.

Tragically, my brother’s story is not uncommon.

Impaired Driving Still Taking Too Many Lives

We’ve made great strides in the past 40 years to reduce impaired driving, but it is still the number one criminal cause of death in Canada.

MADD Canada estimates an average of 1,250-1,500 impairment-related crash deaths happen each year in Canada.  The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) list impaired driving as one of the 4 big killers on Ontario roads.

In addition to the fatalities, a further 175 people are injured every day in our country as a result of drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Let’s be honest — there isn’t a driver out there who’s not aware of the dangers and penalties for drunk driving.  This isn’t an awareness problem — its a decision-making one.

Its about making the right choice at the time it matters.

Three Choices You Should Always Make

Make the right choice about drinking and driving

 

 

  1. 1) Plan Ahead — if you are going to drink alcohol or consume drugs, be prepared for alternate ways to get home.

 

You have options:

  • Keep the contact info for a local taxi or Uber ride handy and use it
  • Surrender your keys to a sober friend early on
  • Arrange for a designated driver who will get you home safely
  • Know the public transit options and take a bus or commuter train
  • Walk
  • Stay over

2) Never get into a vehicle being driven by someone who may be impaired.

3) Call 911 if you see a driver you suspect is impaired.

 

Make The Same Safe Choices With Boats, ATV’s or other Vehicles

Leave the drinks behind when boating -- its a pleasant reason to return safely
Leave drinks behind when boating — its a pleasant reason to return safely

 

The same dangers and penalties apply when operating boats, seadoos, ATV’s, dirt bikes or other recreational vehicles.

Have fun and drink later when the toys are put away.