Graphic Reminder to Drive Sober

Last weekend’s terrible carnage in Orange County included two fatal car accidents that apparently involved alcohol. At a time of year known for its holiday parties, especially an end-of-the-century New Year’s Eve, the lessons are clear.

Don’t drink and drive. Don’t take drugs and drive.

The crackdown on drunken driving fortunately has been effective. But the need for reminders continues, as last weekend’s accidents demonstrate.

From 1986 to 1997, the number of arrests across the country for drunk driving decreased almost 20%, according to the U.S. Justice Department. At the same time, the number of people behind bars or on probation for driving while intoxicated increased by 90%, to more than 500,000.

Those figures show that while increased awareness of the need for sober driving and the threat of stricter penalties has been a deterrent, judges have been tougher on those who did not get the message. That’s all to the good.

Last weekend, in one crash in Irvine, a car went off the road and split in two. The passenger died. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Soon afterward, a car in Newport Beach crossed a center median and hit a taxicab traveling in the opposite direction, killing a passenger in the car and the driver of the taxi. The auto’s driver was arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter; police said he was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Several police departments and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department now have experts trained to detect drivers under the influence of drugs, including prescription medications, as well as alcohol. Police estimate about 20% of those arrested for driving under the influence have taken prescription drugs.

Police expect to be out in force during the holiday season, looking for drivers who have drunk too much or taken too many drugs. It’s simple to appoint a designated driver for groups at parties; failing that, it’s just as easy to stick to soft drinks. The roads are dangerous enough when sober. The results when driving drunk too often are fatal.