Drinking, driving: Bad idea Published April 12, 2010 By Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson 90th Missile Wing command chief F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- I have been assigned as the 90th Missile Wing command chief for exactly one month, and during that time, we have had five driving-while-intoxicated incidences and one driving while impaired. I am very frustrated, and not just because of how it makes this wing look. It is because when someone is pulled over, it is due to running a stop sign, red light or driving in the wrong lane. This not only puts the member at risk but also others. We have had one individual hit a building. Three of the seven DUIs were two and a half times the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol content. This is unsatisfactory and not what I expect from our members. I am very passionate about DUIs, because I have personally dealt with the aftermath of a DUI. An innocent victim, a single parent of two children, was killed. I swore then that I will do everything in my power to prevent this from happening again. I believe in the harshest of consequences to the individual and to anyone who knew of [it] and did nothing to intervene. I will be blunt; if you are drinking and driving, I want you pulled over and taken off the road so you don't endanger my or anyone else's family. What is very alarming, according to the statisitcs gathered from the 90th Medical Operations Squadron's Alcohol, Drug Prevention and Treatment office, a person may have driven intoxicated 50 times before they are actually caught. What most people don't realize is that it takes only two drinks within an hour to be over the limit of .08 BAC. For some it may be just one drink. There is no correlation between how you feel and your blood alcohol content. After a couple of drinks, I feel fine too. But my driving is immediately impaired as well as my judgment. So when we say if you drink don't drive, it's because you are committing a crime. When you drink you are not in control. You lose your inhibitions, which is why you drink. You need to have a plan before you drink and stick to it. But, the bottom line is you do not get behind the wheel and drive. Period. Call a friend, supervisor, first sergeant or call me. The command post at 773-3921, can contact whomever you need to get a ride. We all would rather come get you than see you live with the emotional pain that you killed someone because of pure stupidity and a lack of self discipline. Everyone should have a red key that will get you a ride home by dialing 638-2468. If you are a designated driver, you are responsible for your friends. Your sole mission in life is to ensure they are home safe. You do not drink, no matter what, and you do not leave your friends, because you found someone more interesting to hang out with for the night. The Airman's Creed puts it plainly: "I will never leave an Airman behind." If you fail in your part, you risk being held accountable for your actions as well. Self discipline and personal integrity are the keys in preventing a tragedy. The rule is simple: If you have one drink, you do not get behind the wheel and drive ... no matter what. Do not try to play the clock game - I had 5 drinks so I will sit and hour and will be fine. You will lose and so could others. The standard is zero DUIs for the rest of the year. This is not a goal, expectation or achievement, but it is the only acceptable outcome. Follow the rule: One and done; one drink and no driving.