A remake of the popular film “RoboCop” is set to open in theaters sometime in 2014. However, moviegoers and travelers all over the U.S. will likely catch a glimpse of the new RoboCop this holiday season for reasons that have little to do with the film reboot. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is using the image of the rebooted RoboCop character to warn motorists against drunk driving during the holiday season.
The chances that an image of a stern RoboCop will keep motorists from driving drunk are fairly slim. However, the NHTSA’s efforts to remind motorists of both the hazards and potential criminal consequences of drunk driving are most welcome. The Christmas and New Year’s holidays tend to result in severe spikes in drunk driving accidents. If the image of a futuristic law enforcement officer makes even a few drivers think twice about drinking and driving this holiday, the NHTSA’s efforts will not have been spent in vain.
The criminal consequences of a drunk driving arrest can be severe. If you are arrested for drunk driving, you could face imprisonment, fines, license suspension and a host of other consequences that could haunt you for some time. As a result, it is imperative that you plan ahead in order to ensure that you do not get behind the wheel while intoxicated on New Year’s.
Please, if you are planning on drinking somewhere other than where you will be sleeping on New Year’s Eve, secure a designated driver, a taxi or another mode of safe transportation before celebrating. If you will be driving yourself home, allow for plenty of time to metabolize the alcohol in your body before getting behind the wheel. Trust that being arrested for drunk driving is far too high of a price to pay for a little New Year’s fun and make good choices accordingly.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, “RoboCop Takes on Drunk Driving This Holiday Season,” Graeme McMillan, Dec. 18, 2013