Intoxicated drivers: everyone's problem.

Abstract

Kimball Maull a nationally recognized trauma surgeon writes "It is important to know that injury is a free ticket to absolution from drunk driving and that impaired survivors are rarely investigated." While legal remedies are part of the solution, driving while intoxicated is only a symptom of a deeper problem. The neuroscience nurse who cares for the alcohol-impaired patient has a unique opportunity to exert an impact on the DUI problem. Neuroscience nurses can assist in several ways; they can continue to help identify repeat offenders and problem drinkers and attempt to get counseling for them. They can lobby their legislatures for mandatory jail sentences, license revocations and fines for DUI offenders and making DUI a reportable offense. Finally, neuroscience nurse can take an active role in preventive activities, making prevention of alcohol-related injury and death part of their routines.