Your question is good, but how does one "think" about drunk driving?
In our daily lives, previous to the accident, we would "think" about drunk driving by: walking to our favorite bar, or taking a cab, rather than taking the risk of driving. Or, conversely, drinking at home.
The person who hit Jason was a total stranger. If he'd been a friend, perhaps we could have controlled whether he got behind the wheel of his monster vehicle. As he wasn't, we didn't.
As it stands, we are much more aware of the menace of drunk driving, sure. But Jason's accident has made us more aware of other things, too, such as traumatic brain injury. How often do you think about such things as breast cancer, or being mugged? Would you be more aware of it if it were to happen to you? Would seem less abstract?
It sometimes takes traumatic events to place things on a person's internal map.
We drive a 2000 Honda Accord now, which has many more safety features than the 1989 Honda Civic that Jason drove previous to the accident. Yes, it *is* a bit larger.
cassandra
The details (which you should've bothered to find out before posting such a passionate, but wrongheaded paean to SUVs and stupidity): Jason was sitting at a red light when the drunk idiot in the SUV attempted to drive *through* his car. There is not really anything one can do when one is innocently sitting at a red light, in terms of safety. The only actions you can control are your own. Your advice is good, but useless, in this case.
cassandra
I wanted to clarify something that seems to be a misapprehension with a lot of the posters. Jason and I live in Savannah, GA. Not Wisconsin. Jason was rear-ended by a college kid (22 yrs old) who was home on Spring break. -- cassie
Hi. This is Jason's wife. Jeff Carr told me that Jason had been slashdotted (a fact that would have him bursting with pride, if he understood what it meant right now) and I've been reading everybody's comments. I just wanted to thank *everyone* who has posted their good wishes for Jason's speedy recovery. And for everyone who has complimented me on my fortitude and humor, thanks also.;-) The fact is, I'm stubborn and prideful and I'd rather laugh than cry. For the person who made a donation to MADD in Jason's name, thank you for putting your principles in motion. I've considered sending them photos of the Civic for a promotional campaign, if they'd want to use them. I'll pass everyone's good wishes on to Jason. I fully expect him to recover, but it will take a long time and a lot of patience from the both of us. But I *did* promise him "in sickness and in health" and I meant it. -- cassie
Slashdot Mirror
Your question is good, but how does one "think" about drunk driving? In our daily lives, previous to the accident, we would "think" about drunk driving by: walking to our favorite bar, or taking a cab, rather than taking the risk of driving. Or, conversely, drinking at home. The person who hit Jason was a total stranger. If he'd been a friend, perhaps we could have controlled whether he got behind the wheel of his monster vehicle. As he wasn't, we didn't. As it stands, we are much more aware of the menace of drunk driving, sure. But Jason's accident has made us more aware of other things, too, such as traumatic brain injury. How often do you think about such things as breast cancer, or being mugged? Would you be more aware of it if it were to happen to you? Would seem less abstract? It sometimes takes traumatic events to place things on a person's internal map.
We drive a 2000 Honda Accord now, which has many more safety features than the 1989 Honda Civic that Jason drove previous to the accident. Yes, it *is* a bit larger. cassandra
The details (which you should've bothered to find out before posting such a passionate, but wrongheaded paean to SUVs and stupidity): Jason was sitting at a red light when the drunk idiot in the SUV attempted to drive *through* his car. There is not really anything one can do when one is innocently sitting at a red light, in terms of safety. The only actions you can control are your own. Your advice is good, but useless, in this case. cassandra
I wanted to clarify something that seems to be a misapprehension with a lot of the posters. Jason and I live in Savannah, GA. Not Wisconsin. Jason was rear-ended by a college kid (22 yrs old) who was home on Spring break. -- cassie
Hi. This is Jason's wife. Jeff Carr told me that Jason had been slashdotted (a fact that would have him bursting with pride, if he understood what it meant right now) and I've been reading everybody's comments. I just wanted to thank *everyone* who has posted their good wishes for Jason's speedy recovery. And for everyone who has complimented me on my fortitude and humor, thanks also. ;-) The fact is, I'm stubborn and prideful and I'd rather laugh than cry. For the person who made a donation to MADD in Jason's name, thank you for putting your principles in motion. I've considered sending them photos of the Civic for a promotional campaign, if they'd want to use them. I'll pass everyone's good wishes on to Jason. I fully expect him to recover, but it will take a long time and a lot of patience from the both of us. But I *did* promise him "in sickness and in health" and I meant it. -- cassie