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As Ben Franklin once said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’

Each year the combination of driving and alcohol consumption kills people, hurts families, ruins careers and costs thousands of dollars. A 1996 study found that every weekday night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., one in 13 drivers is drunk (BAC of .08 or more). Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on weekend mornings, one in seven drivers is drunk. “Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes,” said Maria Cino, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2006. “Our message is simple: if you drive drunk, you will be arrested.”


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In 1999 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that about three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

Nearly half of all 15-20 year olds killed in car crashes during prom season in 2004 involved alcohol. In 2004, during weekends around prom (4/2 to 5/23), 46 percent of traffic crash fatalities among 15-20 year olds were alcohol-related. Of these fatalities, 72 percent involved a 15-20 year old driver with alcohol in his/her system.

The Arlingtoncardinal DUI section includes local and global examples of DUI news and destruction that is caused by alcohol and driving while intoxicated.

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Michelle Branch

Are You Happy Now

After drinking Thursday night (7/27/2006), Mel Gibson was arrested in the early morning hours on Friday (7/28/2006). Gibson was arrested for suspicion of DUI at  2:36 a.m., booked at 4:06 a.m. and released at 9:45 a.m. Bail was set at $5,000.

He was reported to be speeding at 87 mph in a 45 mph zone eastbound on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu..

A breathalyzer test indicated Gibson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent. The legal limit in California is 0.08 percent.

TMZ.com reported that they obtained a copy of the original police report and that Gibson shouted anti-Semitic remarks (f*%ing Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world), addressed a female deputy as “sugar t-ts,” tried to evade arrest, and said “My life is f–ked.”

The following is a statement from Mel Gibson on Saturday (7/29/2006):
 
“After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the L.A. County sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.

“I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said and I apologize to anyone who I have offended.

“Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry.

“I have battled the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health.”

Mel Gibson was also arrest in Toronto in 1984 for driving under the influence of alcohol.