It should be illegal to serve alcohol to people that have minors with them while out in public. Too often, while I was working as a food server in a large restaurant, I would have customers that would come in for dinner with their children, and drink it up, not taking into consideration the example that was being shown to their little observers. Let's use for an example - a mom, a dad, a 9 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. (This is an example only). The mom has 3 glasses of wine, (6oz X 3 = 18oz) and the dad has 4 beers. (14oz X 4 = 66oz). So using the American Government Guidelines, a standard serving of alcohol is 12oz beer and 5oz wine....enough said there.

And what about setting a good example? The message being sent to the children is that drinking & driving is Okay. And most likely, they will grow up following what they learned from their parents.

Even though I have served alcohol for a living,and write for a cocktail website, I believe in zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Getting drunk, and then operating a vehicle is selfish, stupid, and inexcusable. In May of 2007, I was hit by a drunk driver - my car was totaled, my daughter, sister, friend and I all went to the hospital with injuries, my teenage daughter hurt the worst. I can proudly say I have never driven drunk in my life. There should always be a designated driver. If not, then don't drink. It is not a necessity, it is a choice and a privilege. Next time you are debating if it is a good idea to chance it, (obviously you have no regards for yourself), at least try to think of the innocent- imagine that 5 year old child that is helpless in the backseat of a car, that you may take the life of, all because of a bad decision. Plan and Think ahead. Stay alive, and keep others safe as well.

For Proof of how crucial drunk driving is , take a look at the statistics: Below is the total Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities in 2005 for all 50 states:

2005 Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities (A.R.T.F.)

Find your State: Total A.R.T.F. & Total A.R.T.F. Under 21

Alabama = 423 - 50

Alaska = 35 - 7

Arizona = 492 - 67

Arkansas = 233 - 33

California = 1719- 268

Colorado = 244 - 40

Connecticut = 120- 26

Delaware = 66 - 10

D.C. = 26 - 3

Florida = 1,471 - 198

Georgia = 545 - 73

Hawaii = 71 - 3

Idaho = 89 - 18

Illinois = 580 - 93

Indiana = 320 - 46

Iowa = 118 - 26

Kansas = 151 - 18

Kentucky = 313 - 31

Louisiana = 394 - 53

Maine = 59 - 10

Maryland = 235 - 36

Massachusetts= 171- 29

Michigan =421 - 70

Minnesota = 201 - 26

Mississippi= 371 - 57

Missouri = 515 - 91

Montana = 124 - 14

Nebraska = 91 - 17

Nevada = 159 - 19

New Hampshire= 60- 12

New Jersey = 263 - 26

New Mexico = 189 - 32

New York = 524 - 83

North Carolina=549- 67

North Dakota= 58 - 9

Ohio = 505 - 54

Oklahoma = 283 - 44

Oregon = 177 - 23

Pennsylvania =636- 80

Rhode Island= 43 - 8

South Carolina=464- 59

South Dakota= 80 - 15

Tennessee = 464 - 51

Texas = 1,569 - 282

Utah = 37 - 3

Vermont = 29 - 4

Virginia = 347 - 46

Washington = 294 - 45

West Virginia=126- 20

Wisconsin = 369 - 49

Wyoming = 65 - 8

US Total = 16,885 ( Under 21 = 2,449 )

Remember, Children are helpless to us. They are unable to drive home themselves, so they are stuck in a car, completely defenseless to the intoxicated adult that has those small lives entrusted into their irresponsible care.

When children are entered to the mix, being a role model is crucial to their development. They should come first, putting all selfishness aside. Pounding down booze, then driving your family home, (that you say you love) is highly selfish...

Make a difference in a child's life. Be their hero.