Frequency of Harms in Alcoholic Accidents (at Least in America)

[Cbsteffen]

I remember an episode of Growing Pains called "Second Chance." It was about Carol's boyfriend Sandy who became drunk. He promised never to drink too many alcoholic beverages again, but it was too late. He didn't survive his second chance, hence the episode's name. I saw a message at the end of the episode in syndication of the episode on ABC Family (just like on the first airing of the episode) that said something like this:

While you have been watching this program, this is the number of people injured or killed in an alcohol-related accident in the United States:

                                                                       29

About a minute later, the 29 turned into a 30, and the message faded. Did that mean someone got harmed in an alcoholic accident every minute when the episode first aired on April 12, 1989? Has that changed nowadays?

[vickysue]

Yes, so many are hurt or killed because of drunk driving. In 1980 I lost my youngest son, my nephew and the two young women with them to a drunk driver who was driving in excess of 100 miles an hour with no headlights on. None of the children were drinking nor were they doing drugs. My son was 18, the two girls were too. My nephew was only 19. A senseless accident because of some idiot driving drunk.

[ancmetro]

     It is a catastrophic situation! When will they learn "Do not drink and drive or if you drive...do not drink!" Soon all vehicles will be equipped with breathalyzers. If the driver does pass the test while at the driver seat, too drunk-cannot drive!