Activity: How cool is that?​

Activity: How cool is that?

Despite the restrictions against impaired driving, too many impaired people get behind the wheel. They can face years of personal and legal consequences... not so cool. A conviction for being over .08, impaired driving, or refusing to provide a sample to test if you are impaired will leave you with a criminal record. Criminal records may disqualify you for certain jobs and volunteering opportunities. As well, some countries will not allow you to enter if you have a criminal record, or may require you to apply for and receive a waiver. This can affect travel and education opportunities.

Many well-known people have ended up facing horrible and embarrassing consequences from impaired driving. The consequences are also very public. Do you really want to end up like one of them?

Chad Kroeger, Nickelback frontman

Received a one-year driving suspension and a $600 fine in 2008 for a DUI. In 2016 the police department in Kensington, PEI, threatened to make people charged with driving under the influence listen to Nickelback while in the back of the police car.

Paris Hilton, reality television star

Was sentenced to three years’ probation, ordered to attend alcohol-related education classes, and fined $1,500 after being pulled over for driving under the influence. She was caught driving thirty days later which was a violation of her probation. This landed her in jail.

Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer

Was twice arrested for driving under the influence. He was sentenced to a year in prison, although the sentence was suspended in favour of 18 months of probation. He was suspended from the USA swimming team for six months.

Tiger Woods, professional golfer

Was found sleeping in his car at the side of the road and arrested for being in control of a vehicle while under the influence. The case is still going through the courts: a breathalyzer test registered 0.000 BAC. He blames his intoxication on a mixture of prescription drugs.

These celebrities should consider themselves lucky. Many others end up injured or dead because of driving under the influence. For example, Vince Neil, the lead singer of the 80s metal band Mötley Crüe, killed the drummer of the Finnish band Hanoi Rocks and seriously injured two other people when driving under the influence in 1984. And hockey star and donut mogul Tim Horton died when he lost control of his car while under the influence in 1974.

Look up well-known people from the past and today who have been charged with or convicted of driving under the influence.
1. What were the legal consequences of their actions?
2. What kind of comments about them have been made on social media and on comment sections?
3. Were they lucky? How could their situations have been even worse?
Would you want to end up like them?