This year, Swine Flu has killed exactly two Americans. In 2008, drunk driving killed around 15,000.

From day one of Driver’s Ed, we are preached the facts. The gruesome statistics are driven into innocent young minds. Pictures of parties, smashed cars, and blood spread goose bumps and silent vows of abstinence. Needless to say, we’ve all heard it enough: like salt and coffee, drinking and driving just don’t mix.

Unfortunately, Driver’s Ed doesn’t fix the problems; an overwhelming fraction of teenagers still drink and drive. People don’t plan for it, but it does happen. Indeed, many Garfield students have experienced this accidental event.

One particular young man ventured to a party, planning to drive home much later that night. He let off some steam, sipping a bit of beer, satisfied with the thought that the alcohol would safely wear off within the next few hours. Only twenty minutes after his consumption, rumors started that the cops were coming.

“We were shooed out the house,” he said. “I never thought I’d drink and drive, but I didn’t know what to do because I had no ride home. I didn’t want to leave my car, so I got in and maneuvered my way home.”

It’s hard to judge exactly how much alcohol consumption constitutes hazardous driving, especially while under the influence at the time of the situation. When the only way home is a car, driving after a party may seem necessary. The opportunity always presents itself: tempting, daunting, and unassuming. Many people overlook the danger, partially because not many people get caught. But for those who do, the consequences are far too real.

On December 15, 2007, after having his license for about six months, Garfield student Frosdidius* was driving home from a party. He’d had some to drink earlier in the night, and by the time he and his friend got in the car, he didn’t think much of it.

“We were on I-5 around midnight,” said Frosdidius. “I was going 20 mph over the speed limit when I saw flashing lights in my mirror.”

A State Patrol trooper pulled him over, and made him step outside the car, asking him if he had been drinking. When Frosdidius answered no, the cop pulled out the breathalyzer.

Unfortunately, Frosdidius blew a .064. The number was under the .08 limit for legal drinkers, but well above the .02 limit for minors.

“The cop immediately cuffed me and put me in his vehicle,” said Frosdidius. “My friend was breathalyzed as well and received an MIP (minor in possession) even though we had no alcohol at all in the car.”

The police then drove their young captive to a precinct to meet his dad.

“My dad came with me as they placed me in a cell, which was really surreal,” Frosdidius said. “I took a legit breathalyzer at the station, where I blew a .05.”

Frosdidius was released to go home.

“My mom was screaming at me because my brother had recently gotten into a bad car accident,” said Frosdidius. “My dad played the disappointed, quiet tone, which was almost worse. I punched a hole in my bedroom.”

His family wasn’t the only problem as legalities soon began to take their toll. After his license was suspended for 90 days, Frosdidius got a lawyer, aiming to reduce the infraction to a reckless driving charge.

“I started up the necessary community service hours, along with weekly drug/alcohol testing for a couple months, which sucked,” said Frosdidius. “At my court date I ended up getting charged with a negligent driving misdemeanor; luckily, my lawyer knew what he was doing, and apparently some breathalyzers in Washington State had been faulty around that time.”

Frosdidius got lucky in court, but that didn’t solve the problem. Even with the best lawyer, it’s nearly impossible to get off the hook for drunk driving. A DOL rule states that any alcohol related charge for a minor results in the issuing of a SR-22 form.

“Basically,” said Frosdidius. “I have to pay $2,000 to the government a year for three years in order to be issued legal insurance.”

Some people scoff at drunk driving horrors, claiming to be better at driving when drunk. Others veto this naïve idea.

“You might be more cautious,” said a critic to the theory, “but there is no way you’re better at driving when you’re drunk. Driving is all about reflexes and judgment, two areas directly affected by alcohol consumption.”

“So in the end,” said Frosdidius, “I can’t afford to drive and I blew all my work earnings and bank account money on a lawyer. Don’t drink and drive.”

*Name has been changed.