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Show 4 Use good sense To many people, the Christmas holidays include drinking. And to many of these, it is drinking to excess, to the point where they become drunk and literally senseless. Unfortunately, this situation extends onto the highway where an intoxicated person becomes an intoxicated driver and then a potential killer. Despite the efforts of safety organizations, law enforcement officials, and even manufacturers and distributors of alcoholic beverages to encourage people to not drink if one drives, there are still thousands who will be behind the wheel while driving a vehicle. Statistics show that alcohol is one of the largest single causes of highway fatalities and other accidents. If we look at it from a strictly practical viewpoint, it is the same as putting a person behind the wheel who is completely out of control. It could be likened to a youngster who has never driven a car, and then been turned loose on the highway. As most drivers will agree, going onto the highway under the best of conditions, on the part of the driver, the vehicle, road conditions and weather, poses certain dangers. But to add to that an intoxicated driver who has no control over either himself or the vehicle which he is driving, is completely senseless. If people want to drink, that is their business. But if they drink and drive, it becomes everyone's business. We hope those who intend adding alcohol to their holiday celebration will make sure they do not intend to drive while under that influence. It should be remembered that those who do not drink are entitled to the safety and the assurance of other responsible individuals while driving. And the first step in that direction must come from those who drink but do not drive. Guest editorial The Richfield Reaper d T |