Topic > Influence of drunk driving - 1205

The consequences of drunk driving affect other drivers on the road, including passengers, pedestrians and their families. The DUI Foundation describes the emotional costs of drunk driving. “Everyone involved in a drink-driving car crash is at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder goes beyond depression and often includes the experience of flashbacks of unpleasant memories of the accident scene.” Symptoms of PTSD are a series of nightmares, anger, difficulty concentrating or memory, exaggeration, and extreme caution. Many of these symptoms can last months or even longer. Families may also lose family members to PTSD. This can come out of nowhere and cause a lot of surprise and anger in the family because of the bad decision to drive while intoxicated. Families then begin to think differently than usual, which may cause them to do something out of character (DUI Foundation). While PTSD is a major factor, it is also accompanied by grief. The DUI Foundation also states, “As with any loss or traumatic experience, it is normal for a person to go through a cycle known as the seven stages of grief. The stages of grief include: shock or disbelief, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression, acceptance, and hope. It's always difficult to lose a loved one, but losing them to something that could have been avoided puts a lot of thoughts in your mind. An important question that will always arise is: could it have been