Another successful drunk drive by…

My previous posts have been written from a humorous perspective. And I will try to make this post as funny as I can, but it’s hard because this topic is pretty serious and I really hope that the Americans who read it will take it to heart.

Drunk driving. What the hell is up with that?! Before I came to the states I’d never been in a car with a drunk driver (not to my knowledge anyway) over here people drive drunk more than sober it seems
The cultural differences on this matter are as huge as the ocean that separates us. The difference is made very obvious by the commercials concerning the topic. In Denmark the campaigns concerning drunk driving are always about the risk of killing innocent people. In the states they are about the risk of getting caught. There’s this dumb commercial where these drivers get pulled over. When they open their window beer starts pouring out and a voice says: You will get caught! Yeah maybe, but what if I don’t? Does it make it all right for me to risk the lives of the people in the car and on the streets?
Drunk driving is just not something you do in Denmark. In the states it’s just not something you get caught doing, but even if you do the punishment for doing so is like a slap on the wrist.

My first experience with Americans and drunk driving was shortly after I arrived in the states. I visited an American friend and right away we got in to our old habit of playing all kinds of drinking games. After an hour we were about to run out of beer. I was panicking because this was really a fun party and nobody was able to drive to the store and pick up some more alcohol. Well that’s what I thought anyway. Shortly after a dude gets up and walks out of the door. He’s going to get some more beer my friend tells me. Realizing that he is going to drive my two Danish friends and me try to stop him, but it seems like a very normal thing for the rest of the party, and who are we as foreigners to change their habits (also we really wanted beer so we didn’t argue as much as we should have).

I thought this was just one crazy guy (who is actually one of the coolest Americans I’ve met and I know he’s probably reading this, so I’m sorry dude), but when I came to Columbia, I realized that drunk driving is a way of life. People do it all the time. A couple of times I’ve been in the car myself. One time after a tailgate, which I believe to be one of the main reasons for drunk driving. Here’s an idea. Leave your car at the parking lot and go get it tomorrow – that’s what we do in Denmark. I don’t think Americans have ever or would ever consider this because that would mean that they had to walk somewhere either to catch a cab or walk all the way home.

Another difference. When somebody in the beginning of an American party says: "All right I’ll be the designated driver tonight." That just means: "I wont have more than 10 beers." In Denmark it means: "I wont touch alcohol period."
Because the real problem isn’t the laws, tailgating or American’s fear of walking. It’s the attitude. In Denmark drunk driving is looked down on. If you do it, you are considered a big loser. In the states people just laugh at it and think you’re cool. I’ve been in a car where the driver ended the trip by raising his arms in victory saying: "Another drunk drive by xxxxx." Well I was in the car and I didn’t stop him, so I’m no better than the rest. But when I return to Denmark, I will be Danish again and I will take his car keys or sit on him before I let him drive.

By the way I haven’t even told the worst drunk driving stories, but you all know who you are.