MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- There has been an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents involving Depot Marines over the past several weeks.
This begs the question, "What do we need to do to prevent these types of accident or incidents in the future?"
"Sometimes it takes a tragedy for the message to become clear," said Sgt.Maj. Robert C. Hollings, Depot sergeant major. "Many Marines don't believe it can happen to them."
Marines on the base have had safety briefs, professional military education discussions and some have even been spoken to directly by their commanding officers about the dangers of drunken driving, and still it happens.
According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2004, there were 16,694 alcohol-related fatalities, which equates to 39 percent of all traffic accidents reported. That equals out to one fatality every 31 minutes.
An estimated 248,000 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents, which equals one every two minutes, cited the study by NHTSA.
"Many drivers just don't think about what the effect could be," said 1st Sgt. Ron Videtto, patrol supervisor, Beaufort City Police Department. "They make a bad judgment call that changed not only their life, but the lives of many others."
Videtto suggests drivers call the police department if they have had too much to drink.
"I don't have a problem sending my officers out to pick you up and take you where you need to be," said Videtto at a Headquarters and Service PME on Tuesday. "Give us a call...we are more than happy to give you a ride."
Headquarters and Service Battalion, as well as Weapons and Field Training Battalion, have a similar opinion about arriving safely. Their "Arrive Alive" programs make it possible for impaired drivers to take a cab back to base by using funds from the duty money box to pay for the cab fare. It is the driver's responsibility to repay the cab fare the next day.
If a driver in South Carolina has a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the charge will be driving under unlawful alcohol consumption, which is similar to many states' driving while intoxicated law.
If drivers are under the age of 21, and even if they only appear to have had any amount of alcohol and are driving, an officer has the right to give them a breathalyzer test. South Carolina has a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking, and can suspend a driver's license for having a .02 or greater BAC.
Drivers older than 21 and having a BAC under .08, can still be charged with the offense of driving under the influence. Although DUAC and DUI carry the same penalties, DUI can be given if drivers of-age have a .08 or less BAC. No matter what the BAC is, the driver will be charged with one or the other, said Cpl. Mike Kinninger, assistant patrol supervisor, Beaufort City Police Department.
One beer or shot of alcohol is enough to make someone register at least a .02 on the breathalyzer test.
"It takes four hours for your system to get rid of one can of beer or shot, and get your BAC back to 0.00," said Kinninger.
Taking away the element of accidents or injury involved in a drunken driving accident, just getting pulled over for a traffic violation and being found DUI has a high price to pay as well.
"The first offense (for drunken driving) is $1,062.50, plus a suspension of license," said Kinninger. "The second offense will cost about $2,062.50, plus a suspension of license." Not to mention many local lawyers will charge a minimum of $10,000 plus all court cost and other fees, added Videtto.
Knowing all the facts, the question still remains. What do we need to do to prevent this from happening?
Colonel James A. Dixon, commanding officer, H&S Bn., believes the non-commissioned officer ranks is where the solution lies.
"Marine's must police each other," he says. "Those closest to what is going on are the ones who can make a difference."
Hollings agrees and also feels it is important for senior leaders to connect with the troops and make them understand there is more at stake than a career, it could possibly be a life.
Having a designated driver and drinking responsibly each and every time is the only true way to ensure fatalities, injuries or accidents don't happen because of recklessness.
According to statistics provided by the Naval Safety Center, from the beginning of fiscal year 2006, 27 Marines have been killed in private motor vehicle accidents. Not all of the accidents have been alcohol-related, however. Twenty-five of the fatalities have been corporals or below operating at high rates of speed, on motorcycles or falling asleep at the wheel.
Auto accidents, on many occasions can be avoided by being responsible. Knowing when not to drive, wearing a seatbelt and driving the speed limit are all preventive measures to help ensure these horrible situations don't occur.