Drink-drive solution not hard

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 4

Drink-drive solution not hard

We appear headed for another bumper crop of traffic fatalities in 1987. M a y not be a record but it certainly won't be far off it. When you add the enormous number of people injured, many irreparably, we have a social problem of enormous magnitude. In all too many instances alcohol has played its ugly part in the tragedy. As a nation we are excellent at throwing up our hands in horror at this particular situation. The government does it very well. Communities do it very well. Most individuals express feelings of outrage and horror at the continued carnage. We don't always put our money where our mouth is. A road toll of approaching one thousand fatalities in a year in a country of just 3 million people would suggest a need for strong action. Incredibly strong action. But what do we see? One

painful example is the going into recess of the Defensive Driving Council - and all for the lack of $100,000. As individuals we can play a meaningful part. No more complicated, either, than in sincere support of the Wanganui Area Health

Board's 'DRINK DRIVE DIE' campaign this Christmas. It is worthy of our full support. We cannot completely alter our cultural patterns and habits. A festive season without a drink or two, for most of us, would be unthinkable. What we can do

is make a real commitment not to drive our motor vehicles after we have had those drinks. It's not that hard. We can do this as individuals and we can aid the commitment of business firms or community organisations by ensuring alternatives of transport are available. Making an effort can mean the difference between life and death. I speak very much from the heart on this one. My own family opened the traffic-toll statistics last Christmas Day with the death of my nephew. Apart from the tragic loss of a young life it will also mean a less-than-happy festive season for our particular family for many years to come. Too many other families are similarly blighted. My plea to everyone is to do something about it. One small way is to fully support the Wanganui Area Health Board's 'DRINK DRIVE DIE' campaign.

Bill Taylor Mayor, Ohakune