That was when I was younger, and before I realized that drinking and driving don't go together.
Living in Canada and the U.S.A changed my whole perspective in driving.
The first thing I learned seriously was to stop at all STOP signs, whether it's a red light, the octagon stop sign at intersections, even at odd times of the day.
Next was following strictly all speed signs, in the highways and school zones, everywhere.
I took everything that was contained in the booklet of traffic rules and regulations, including reporting minor accidents, to heart.
Last Sunday we hosted a family party, and the guys were drinking alcohol, and like in other instances, I asked whether the ones at the wheel were okay to drive, and then I served coffee.
The drunk driving law (R.A. 10586) in the Philippines had been enforced recently, with cops expected to do random alcohol-level testing. This is a welcome development in a metropolis where the night life (with alcohol served) is vibrant, where the populace is increasing and thus the need for more vehicles, where traffic laws and regulations had not been effectively observed, and where vehicular accidents register among the highest in South East Asia.
Violators face penalties ranging from three months to 20 years in prison and fines of P20,000 to P500,000. Violators also face a 12-month suspension of non-professional driver’s license for the first offense and perpetual revocation for the second offense. For professional drivers, a first offense would result in perpetual revocation of license.
Just recently, a relative of a brother in law, a young man in his twenties, was drunk driving in a new SUV given to him by his parents. He got into an accident. The person at the front passenger seat died on the spot. The young boy sustained fourth degree burns to one third of his body. Luckily, the back seat passengers had only minor injuries.
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