The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Driving drunk safer than walking home

“Akron is a breeding ground for criminal activity. It’s gotten to the point were it’s safer to drink and drive than it is to walk the streets of Akron at night. The surrounding area of campus is basically a hot-spot for criminals who wait until they can victimize another stranger or fellow student.”

Akron is a breeding ground for criminal activity. It’s gotten to the point were it’s safer to drink and drive than it is to walk the streets of Akron at night. The surrounding area of campus is basically a hot-spot for criminals who wait until they can victimize another stranger or fellow student.

Depending on the assailant’s generosity, he or she might only rob someone of their worldly possessions instead of physically or sexually assualting them.

Because Akron is home to some pretty shady people, we should all consider an alternative to getting home from those late night parties. Something safer than walking.

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Using information from Akron Police Department’s 2005 annual report, one could come to the conclusion that, statistically, it is safer to drive intoxicated than to walk Akron’s city streets sober at night.

In 2005, there were 211 forcible rapes, 5,434 acts of vandalism, 4,804 cases of assault and 172 acts of prostitution. Twenty three people went missing and 26 people were the victims of manslaughter.

Of course, a lot of other mishaps took place, but to discuss those would take an entire novel. To list the crimes that went unnoticed and unpunished would take several volumes.

The point is there were only 17 documented incidents of people driving under the influence.

Granted, hundreds more probably slipped past the radar screen, but that’s because they weren’t doing something obviously stupid, like crashing into trees and small children on tricycles or swerving on the roads while pointing their middle finger out the window at nearby cops. The 17 people who were caught probably did those things and can now be categorized as dangerous.

Most of us, if we know our limits, could probably drive home after a party. If we know we’ll end up pretty drunk, we could designate one of our friends as the driver.

However, this won’t help us if we’re walking home.

Sober or not, walking home at night is another story. Being absolutely sober cannot prevent someone from becoming a victim.

Granted, falling down every five minutes probably doesn’t help, but criminals won’t avoid you just because you can stand up straight.

By no means should we drink and drive.

We should consider driving and designating someone not to drink. It’s something that should be considered.

Walking back at night is dangerous. Students have been mugged and raped.

Before we go out, we have to choose a course of action to follow at the end of the night. We can walk home or we can drive.

If you’re concerned about your safety, you’ll probably find a sober friend to drive you home.

Statistically speaking, it’s much safer to drive.

And if you and your friends are too drunk to drive, at least walk in groups.

Even if you’re all drunk, there is still safety in numbers.

Just carry baseball bats.

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