January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Drink driving / The cost
DUI SPECIAL: Drink driving adds millions to our health-care costs
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24: Drink driving costs the country millions of dollars a year in the treatment of catastrophic injuries which could be easily avoided.
Aside from the human toll of death and injury on the road — much of it linked to alcohol — there is also a burden to taxpayers.
Health Minister Zane De Silva said: “It is very, very big dollars — the one thing that really hits are the guys in wheelchairs for life and there are head injuries and loss of limbs.
“It takes $13,000 to keep someone in the lower continuing care unit at the hospital for a month. You just take a few victims, whether they are victims of drunk drivers or someone who has been drinking and driving and injured themselves.
“Then there is someone in intensive care for five or six weeks then is flown abroad for treatment — that is a lot of money.”
He added: “What does that cost the system and what does it cost the public? If someone suffers permanent damage, what is that going to cost in terms of lifelong support, quite apart from the catastrophic effect it has on individuals? I would hate to put a number on it, but it has to be in the millions. If we could avoid these kind of injuries — and they are easily avoidable — we would all be much better off in every way.”
Mr De Silva said it appeared to him that police had “stepped up their programme” in terms of stop and check operations.
He added: “If someone steps out in front of a driver, they may just have had a few drinks, but if they are over the limit, they are over the limit. Lives are changed forever. My heart goes out the families who have lost a loved one. It’s one thing getting caught and embarrassed because your name is in the paper.
“But if something happens and someone is hurt or killed, you are going to prison. It may be that person was looking at buying a house or maybe they have children and are saving up for a home. Next thing you know, something has happened and they are in prison for eight or ten years. It’s a life changer and it will never leave them.”
Mr De Silva said he had always impressed upon his own family the dangers of drinking and driving.
He added: “My message to everyone, especially younger people, would be take away the tool — the car or the bike.
“Catch a cab or have a designated driver — you don’t have the temptation to drive because you don’t have your transport with you. And it’s not just our young people, it’s older people too. But if you take away the tool, you take away that temptation to drive.”
SPECIAL REPORT: DRINK DRIVING
- Drink drivers - your time is up
- Roadside sobriety tests by year's end
- Handheld breath test kits for police
- Is drink driving out of control?
- Why so few inquests?
- Get caught and a grim little police cell awaits you
- Police say 'lax' attitudes need to change
- Road ban seen as a 'rite of passage' by some Bermudians
- 'We must change the culture'
- Viewpoint: What is the best way to prevent drink driving?
- Police role vital as binge drinking sees an upswing
- Loved ones lament the 'horrific' human cost
- Drink driving adds millions to our health-care costs
- What role should bars play in prevention?
- What other countries do to combat drink driving
- Drink drivers need a short, sharp, shock
Comments:
You must login to comment.