Early this morning Paris Hilton was released from a Los Angeles County jail. She was incarcerated on June 3. The time spent came from an alcohol-related reckless driving charge and driving with a suspended license. She did her time. Actually she did more time than most for this charge. Being a celebrity cost her some added days. Now what will happen with her? Will she ever drive again when alcohol is involved?
 
Maybe I am a little sensitive to this issue. A few months ago I did the funeral for a 24-year-old college graduate from our church killed by a drunk driver. A few weeks ago I sat with grieving grandparents who had lost their 21-year-old granddaughter killed by a drunk driver. Today I opened the Pensacola News Journal to see the picture of a young Alabama couple on vacation in Pensacola. They were weeping over their 7-month-old daughter killed by a drunk driver. This stupidity demands action.
 
1. If you are a parent and have a child who comes home having been driving while drinking take action. Drop the hammer. Take the keys. Take the car. Your child could be looking at a life ruined if they speed recklessly into another. Take action and responsibility before it is too late.
 
2. I encourage lawmakers, judges and officers to enforce the law. I realize summer brings a rash of this activity to our vacation destination city. Enforcement is not easy. However, we must act to protect others. Thank you for what you do to make our streets safe.
 
3. If you are going to party with alcohol make sure someone sober is behind the wheel. This choice has to be made while you are sober. Everyone is sorry and never meant to hurt anyone after they ram someone from the rear and kill them. Get smart and keep alcohol out of your life and out of your car.
 
I found it ironic that just above the PNJ picture of the cute baby killed in the DUI accident, was the front page headline of a new wine and mini-bar opening in downtown Pensacola. I pray no 40-year-old walks out of there tonight to slide behind the wheel of a car with an elevated blood alcohol level. Drunk drivers always make bad headlines.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Posted on Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 at 10:06 am.
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