The choice to get behind the wheel intoxicated can impact someone’s life forever, like mine. I lost my sister, Taylor, on North Dakota roads to a drunk driver. Driving under the influence does not just impact the person driving. It affects the people hit, injured, and killed, their families, friends, coworkers, and everyone who knew them. Society as a whole is affected by the many deaths caused by the negligent actions of someone who decides to get behind the wheel intoxicated. Every year we lose teachers, nurses, police officers, and many other people to drunk driving. These individuals are vital to the wellbeing of our society and communities. The senseless act to drink and drive affects everyone to some degree.
Personally, a senseless drunk driver has directly affected my family. My sister Taylor and her friend Abby were killed in the early morning hours of June 27th, 2015. Their friend Shayna survived with major life threading injuries, and a traumatic brain injury. It took her 7 years to recover enough to live nearly independently. She still needs assistance grocery shopping, driving, and doing other daily tasks. Death and severe injury are just a fraction of the negative consequences driving under the influence can create. One small decision to drive intoxicated creates a chain reaction of negative effects to yourself, the people around you, and your community.
In North Dakota, there is a prominent problem with drunk driving. Many families are affected by fatalities and injuries caused by the reckless decision to drive intoxicated. Increasing number of public awareness campaigns and increasing criminal penalties for DUI’s in North Dakota will decrease the number of people killed in alcohol related crashes on North Dakota roads. Also, we personally can take the initiative to educate others on how to drink responsibly and prevent them from getting behind the wheel. Sharing my own story can make others have the realization of the consequences if they were to get behind the wheel.
Vision Zero and the Run4Change, are public campaigns in North Dakota focusing on reducing the number of preventable severe injuries and fatalities on our roads. These programs also bring awareness and education on responsible alcohol consumption and transportation. Programs sponsored by Vision Zero and the NDDOT like ride-hailing vouchers through Uber and Lyft, have prevented drunk individuals from getting behind the wheel. This ultimately supports the decrease in injuries and fatalities from drunk drivers, since there are fewer intoxicated drivers on the ND roads. Statistically speaking, since the implementation of the Vision Zero awareness campaign, drunk driving fatalities have decreased from 39 people in 2020 to 19 people in 2024. This is encouraging. The statistics show public awareness campaigns and programs, like Vision Zero and Run4Change, contribute to the decline of drunk driving fatalities.
Another strategy to promote responsible decision making and accountability when consuming alcohol, is to increase the criminal penalties for driving under the influence. In the past, North Dakota found a need to increase its drunk driving related penalties due to high numbers of DUI related fatalities and injuries. House Bill 1302 in 2013 increased the penalties for DUI’s. In 2012, the year before H. B. 1302 was implemented, there were 87 alcohol related fatalities making up 52% of all traffic fatalities in North Dakota. This was alarming, which lead to the passing of the 2013 H. B. 1302. This increased the penalties to where they currently stand. Statistically, the increase of DUI penalties has been shown to correlate directly to the decrease in number of alcohol related traffic fatalities. Within just 8 years, there was a drastic decrease in fatalities from 87 in 2012 to 39 in 2020, after the implementation of H. B. 1302. Increasing the penalty for a DUI keeps people who are a higher risk to drive intoxicated off our state's roads completely. It can also deter the individuals from reoffending.
One very effective way North Dakota can increase the penalties for DUIs is implementing ignition interlock devices for every person convicted of a DUI. These devices use a breathalyzer like device that is wired into your car that prevents your car from starting if you have alcohol in your system. These penalties are very harsh but effective in reducing the alcohol related driving fatalities in many other states. If North Dakota implemented these strategies, the goal of zero fatalities or serious alcohol related fatalities is very obtainable.
I live every day without my older sister. My family’s situation could have been prevented. Using our voices to share our stories and create personal connections can also prevent people from getting behind the wheel drunk.
North Dakota is on the road to eliminating the preventable tragedies caused by drunk driving. Decreasing and eliminating fatalities caused by drunk driving is possible by increasing the DUI penalties, like implementing ignition interlock devices, and number of awareness campaigns and programs. It’s time to advocate for safer roads, because you or your family could be affected directly, like mine.
One decision can change everything. One moment of impaired judgment, one assumption that “I’ll be fine,” one choice to get behind the wheel after drinking- it can all lead to devastating consequences. Drinking and driving isn’t just a personal risk; it’s a danger to everyone on the road. The consequences extend far beyond the driver, affecting passengers, pedestrians, families, and entire communities. While awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving has increased over the years, preventable tragedies still occur, making it crucial to continue advocating for responsible decision-making and safer alternatives.
The most immediate and devastating consequence of drinking and driving is the loss of life. Every year, thousands of people die in alcohol-related crashes, leaving behind grieving families and shattered communities. The victims aren’t just the drivers who made the mistake of drinking and driving, they are passengers, pedestrians, and other innocent people on the road.
Even when accidents don’t result in fatalities, they can cause lifelong injuries. Survivors may suffer from traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, or other permanent disabilities. The emotional toll is just as heavy; drivers who cause accidents often live with overwhelming guilt, and families of victims struggle with unimaginable loss.
Beyond the physical and emotional consequences, there are legal and financial ramifications. A DUI (driving under the influence) charge can result in hefty fines, suspension of one’s license, increased insurance rates, and even jail time. The legal process can be overwhelming, and the stigma of having a DUI on one’s record can impact future job prospects and personal relationships.
From a societal standpoint, the cost of drinking and driving extends beyond individual cases. Law enforcement agencies dedicate significant resources to prevent and address these incidents. Hospitals treat victims of alcohol-related crashes, often leading to expensive medical bills and long-term rehabilitation costs. Communities suffer from the loss of lives and livelihoods, making drinking and driving not just an individual mistake but a public issue.
With so many ways to prevent drinking and driving, no one should ever feel like they have no other option. Planning is key; before going out, individuals should arrange for a designated driver, use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, or rely on public transportation. Even better, choosing to stay at a friend’s house if drinking is involved can eliminate the risk.
Peer accountability is another important factor. Friends shouldn’t be afraid to speak up if someone is about to make a reckless decision. Taking away a friend’s keys may feel uncomfortable in the moment, but it’s far better than regretting not doing so later. Similarly, bartenders and party hosts can play a role in preventing drinking and driving by monitoring guests’ alcohol intake and encouraging safe transportation options.
Educational programs that focus on the science behind alcohol impairment can also help people make informed decisions. Many individuals don’t realize how little it takes to be over the legal limit or how alcohol affects reaction times and judgment. Providing people with a clearer understanding of these effects can make them think twice before getting behind the wheel.
While I have never personally driven under the influence, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact it can have. A few years ago, a family friend was involved in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver. She was driving home from work when another car swerved into her lane and hit her head-on. The driver of the other vehicle had been drinking at a party and thought he was “okay to drive.” He wasn’t.
Our family friend survived, but her injuries were severe. She had multiple broken bones, spent months in rehabilitation, and still struggles with chronic pain. The drunk driver, on the other hand, walked away with minor injuries, but he now carries the burden of knowing that his reckless decision changed someone else’s life forever.
Seeing the aftermath of that crash made the dangers of drinking and driving real to me. It’s not just a statistic or something that happens to strangers on the news. It’s personal. That experience reinforced my belief that we have to do better, not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.
To truly tackle the issue of drinking and driving, we need more than just individual responsibility, we need community-wide efforts and larger-scale initiatives. Schools and universities should integrate more educational programs about the risks of drinking and driving, including realistic simulations that show the effects of alcohol impairment. Programs like “Every 15 Minutes,” which stage mock crashes to demonstrate the real-life consequences of drunk driving, can leave a lasting impression on students.
Local businesses, especially bars and restaurants, can help by offering discounts on non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers or partnering with rideshare services to provide discounted or free rides for patrons who have been drinking. This would make responsible choices more accessible and encourage people to think twice before getting behind the wheel.
Social media campaigns can also be a powerful tool for spreading awareness. Personal stories from survivors, families of victims, or even those who have made the mistake of drinking and driving can resonate with a wider audience and serve as a warning. The more we humanize this issue, the more people will understand that it’s not just about laws and statistics; it’s about real lives.
Drinking and driving is not just a personal mistake, it’s a decision that can cost lives. The consequences extend far beyond the individual, impacting families, friends, and entire communities. While laws and enforcement play a role in preventing these tragedies, the most powerful deterrent is awareness and responsibility.
By making smart choices, holding ourselves and others accountable, and promoting initiatives that encourage safe alternatives, we can help create a world where no one has to experience the pain and loss caused by a drunk-driving accident. The next time someone considers getting behind the wheel after drinking, they should ask themselves: Is this worth the risk? Because the answer will always be no.
