This Day R.A.D.D. - Reagan Against Drunk Driving (1982)
Dec 24, 2024
The podcast dives into the action taken in 1982 to combat drunk driving during the holiday season. It highlights the rise in alcohol-related fatalities and the significant grassroots movements, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving. There’s a focus on legislative changes made under Reagan, including stricter blood alcohol limits. The discussion also touches on the challenges of improving safety, societal norms, and the intersection of personal responsibility with public policy.
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Holiday Drunk Driving Spike
- Drunk driving fatalities spike during the holidays, with over a third of alcohol-related deaths occurring between Thanksgiving and New Year's.
- Defining "intoxicated" is crucial, as blood alcohol content (BAC) levels and legal limits play a significant role in enforcement.
Drunk Driving's Broader Impact
- Besides drivers, drunk driving accidents also harm pedestrians and passengers in other vehicles.
- Ridesharing services like Uber offer alternatives to driving while intoxicated, especially in areas with limited public transport.
Past Attitudes Towards Drunk Driving
- In the past, there was less social stigma and fewer regulations against drunk driving.
- People would commonly drive with open alcoholic beverages, illustrating the lax enforcement.