Just when you think you’ve heard it all, another impaired driving arrest stretches the understanding of the risks people go to when under the influence.
A 46-year-old man driving erratically southbound on Highway 2 was arrested by RCMP and found to be driving over the legal limit of 0.08 blood alcohol. But if that wasn’t enough, this individual decided to do so with three children under the age of 10 in his vehicle.
It’s truly staggering to hear this individual would not only put the lives of other motorists as well as his own at risk, but also the lives of these three young kids. You would have to be a pretty sick individual to knowingly take that risk.
But it’s far more likely this individual got behind the wheel feeling the “Superhero Effect,” as described by Airdrie RCMP Constable Matt Gervais. That’s the feeling of immunity and false confidence brought on by alcohol, one that severely impacts one’s decision making skills and judgment.
It’s not like all of us haven’t read the statistics or seen the marketing campaigns – they’re ubiquitous. When we hear of families ripped apart and tragedy on our highways and streets, these campaigns come quickly rushing back.
This individual surely saw those same marketing campaigns and advertising slogans. But he, and many others like him, felt he was special – uniquely qualified to be able to drive while under the influence. All those other deaths and tragedies on the road? Those were individuals who were not as skilled, not a “Superhero” like him.
But those same thoughts are what lead directly to tragedy and deaths. No one is special when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired – and it’s only a matter of time until that way of thinking leads to yet another sad story.
