I hate drunk drivers.

[Apollorn]

This is a rant.

[rant: on]So a 20 year old girl was admitted to my ward yesterday with a fractured tibia sustained in an MVA. She was t-boned by a drunk driver. She had emergency surgery to fix it (forgot the name of the surgery). Anyway, she developed compartment syndrome. We spotted it right away and the surgeon was informed and she came back to our ward from surgery with four fasciotomies. Over the course of an hour she became very dyspneac: 25 resps/min, 92 sats. Not fifteen minutes later her sats dropped to 64%. Gave her 10L oxygen which brought her up to 92%. Chest pain was noted on inspiration, so I suspected an emboli. Sent her down for a CXR and CT on 10L oxygen, full tank. She returned to ward with no tank and no mask with cyanosis up the ying yang. Got her back onto oxygen and more concious. Results of her CXR and CT came back and were positive for a fat embolus. I reiterate, this patient is 20 years old. [rant: off]

Maybe I have thin skin (still a student, practicing as an LPN on days off) but boy was I mad. Soooo young and all this crap happening to her... all because of a drunk driver. I HATE drunk drivers. Thanks for letting me rant.:bowingpur

[MrsCaseyRN]

I hate drunk drivers as well. IMHO a drunk driver who kills someone else on the road should never be allowed a liscence again.

I agree. Actually, I believe anyone caught drunk driving (DWI, DUI) should never be allowed to drive again. A no tolerance policy. But even then, some of them would drive w/o a license anyway.

[nurseby07]

Yep, me too. I've seen way too much damage caused by alcohol. We had one gal on our unit who had had one glass of wine and decided to drive home from dinner (really her BAL was really really low) yet it was enough for her to not see the red light, hit a family, kill one and leave herself severly brain injured. I will not drive with even one drink in me.

I came in and found my teenage son watching the movie "Dazed & Confused" yesterday. I turned it off and started in on the lecture of how stupid that was, and we NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER get in a car with someone who has had even a sip of beer, and if I ever caught him hanging around with people who smoked pot...etc etc. You get the point.

I said a quick thanks to God for helping me through my days (daze) of youth without killing anyone. How stupid we were.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

I work for the DOT in my state as a nurse and I've been amazed at the rights people have post-OWI (operating while intoxicated). My state just passed "tougher" regulations about 7th, 8th and 9th convictions. Once you get to your 10th conviction, the fines and jail time go up.

In my job, I may take your license because you've had a seizure or your diabetes is out of control & you'll have to prove that your health is stable before we let you drive again. However, if you have an OWI, you can get an occupational license the next day to drive.

Personally, I think the courts are lenient of these people because so many people in power have driven drunk. There are loopholes on the loopholes to make sure people can still drive.

I don't drink. I understand that people enjoy alcohol. We're sure not doing enough to break the cycle.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think it is because most of us have driven after drinking alcohol and have a hard time being what some people call "judgmental'.

I served on a jury hearing a case about a drunk driver, who fortunately only wrecked his own car and no one, even him, was hurt.

The evidence was clear.

But there were about 5 people who didn't want to convict - simply because "this time" no one was hurt and couldn't we just let the guy go since he seemed so nice and all?

I have to admit - there were a couple of times in college when I left a party after drinking and drove home. I thank God I did not cause an accident.

However, just because I did something stupid does not mean I'm going to cut another person slack. We ended up convicting him and I hope deterring him from another accident where someone would have gotten hurt.

That isn't hypocrisy - that is just life and growing up and learning.

Hypocrisy would be if I drink and drive right now and then judge others for it.

steph

[TCRNCOB61]

My son was almost killed last Jan. also due to a drunk driver. Below was the truck he was driving. He fractured both hips, left one was crushed. Seat belt was about the only thing that saved his life (and the nurse that stopped to help and restored his airway until EMS got there.. will for EVER be so grateful to her). He has a limp but is up walking!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Oh my goodness TCRN . . . that is a scary picture.

My heart goes out to you. Thank God your son is ok. :icon_hug:

steph

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

That's awful. From your post, I was unable to determine if this patient was travelling without nurse and monitor? Since she was unstable, I am surprised that she arrived back on the ward with an empty O2 tank with no explanation.

TCRN - that picture is unbelievable. I'm happy that your son is all right.

Blee

[Agnus]

Hypocrisy would be if I drink and drive right now and then judge others for it.

steph

That was my point. This MADD founder did just that she condemned had an off spring killed so condemned drunk driving. OK that is reasonable. BUT then in a few short months went out driving after drinking.

My suspicion is that a lot of so called MADD mothers have and do the same thing after all their leader did. And it was virtually swept away only because she did not happen to kill anyone.

It seems you have to kill someone before it really matters. Even then sentences are often shortened or never completely served. And then I am guessing once served they can eventually get a license.

People do not think they could possibly kill someone. It is always the other person. If I am going out and there is drinking and I know I have to drive. It is simple I do not drive and I do not let someone else drive me as they may have been drinking.

I can not begin to count the times I have been told I'll drive so that I could drink by someone who either already was dinking, or fully planned to drink. Their excuse was they were used to it or never got drunk or were not afraid to drive, or .....

[Agnus]

Oh yea, it never seems to count as drunk driving it you do it and do not get caught. The truth most of the time people driving drunk do not get caught. More people on the road are under the influence than we or the police ever know about. This reinforce the behavior.

I would drink lightly when I was younger and drive. Never did after moderate or heavy drinking. I do not do it now period.

A few years ago I was pulled over. I was not drinking. I had suffered a back injury at work (CNA at the time) They had me on soma and vicodin. It never crossed my mind about these meds. Until I was pulled over.

I guess I was speeding. She let me go. I stopped myself just short of saying I was taking this medication.

When I got home and sobered up I realized what they meant about impaired judgment. I had no sense of groggyness, or any other impairment. It was only after I was pulled over did I even think about the meds. I was going to use it as an excuse with the cop. I acutally thought that would get me off the hook with her. It was only later did I realize how faulty that thinking was. That was the last time I drove under the influence of medication.

[mianders, RN]

4 years ago my nephew was killed by a drunk driver and my niece was badly injured. One month later I was hit by a drunk driver that ran a red light. The drunk driver was killed, and her 9 year old son, who was in the car, and was seriously injured. He was life flighted and faced several surgeries. I was also seriously injured and had to have 2 surgeries along with a 2 year court battle fighting her insurance company. The mental, physical and financial problems faced after this type of thing are devastating. This goes for the victims and the family of the drunk driver. My family has slowly recovered from ir as I am sure her family has also. I just wish ppl would think before they drink and get behind the wheel of a car.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

The truth most of the time people driving drunk do not get caught.

The rule of thumb in the industry (Transportation, that is) is 100:1, one hundred drunk driving events to one time caught.

Huge on the horizon? Meds and driving. I wish all the people who claim that 'narcotics never impair drivers' could sit at my desk for a day.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Can someone link me to the evidence that Candy Lightner was arrested for 3 DUI's?

I've just spent 1/2 hour googling - I looked at Wikipedia too. There are a couple of questions about "Did Candy Lightner really get a DUI?" but no answers to the question. I checked "Snopes" too but no mention of Candy Lightner.

Thanks.

steph