Depending on where you live, the use of a car to get about may be something that we enjoy as a modern convenience or something upon which we’re completely dependent to get by in our day to day lives. While some of us are able to visit a host of cafes, bars, restaurants and movie theaters within walking distance, there are others who need a vehicle to get just about anywhere from the grocery store to a sports stadium.
Yet while the use of a vehicle may be essential in your day to day life, there’s never an excuse to use one while under the influence of alcohol.
Drunk driving is a killer. It costs hundreds of thousands of lives every year and amongst the worst nations for drunk driving fatalities are South Africa, Canada, The United States and Australia. If you have been injured by a drunk driver you know that these irresponsible people need to be brought to justice. Nobody is immune to the consequences. Not even wealthy celebrities. While they may have been able to afford the expensive fines, the damage to their careers has in many cases been permanent. Here are some celebrities from the world of the arts, politics and music and what you can learn from their mistakes…
Wayne Rooney
British soccer star Wayne Rooney has been in the British tabloid headlines ever since he became a professional player at the tender age of 17. But unfortunately, a lot of this has been more due to his outlandish behaviour (and his hair transplant) than for his prodigious football skill. The former England captain was arrested in 2017 for drunk driving. He was 3 times over the legal limit. Not only was he disqualified for 2 years and made to do 100 hours of unpaid community work. This was because the judge knew that due to his high earnings, Rooney would be able to simply shrug off a fine. This just goes to show that even if you’re well off, a judge will find a way to make drunk driving pay.
Duncan Bannatyne
The Scottish entrepreneur has made a great success of his life and currently owns a thriving chain of fitness clubs and is an established TV personality and author. But things have not always gone smoothly for him. In the early 1970s, following the death of his sister, Bannatyne’s drinking got out of control. He was caught drunk driving and his first business venture was laid to waste as a result. He has set up a taxi firm. This goes to show that while some may bounce back, a drink driving charge can destroy your entrepreneurial ambitions.
Mel Gibson
While Mel Gibson has gone on to clean up his act and direct successful films like Hacksaw Ridge, his problem drinking has led him to still be a pariah in the eyes of many in Hollywood. After being arrested for drunk driving in 2006 for driving under the influence of alcohol while doing 87mph in a 35mph zone he was made to not only serve jail time but enrol in an alcohol abuse program for 3 months.
This just goes to show that even if you’re at the top of your game, a drink driving charge can ruin your career.
