This is the Off Topic Blog and it’s a place to talk about things that we find on the internet that interest us, but generally have nothing to do with Ohio County. This may be an exception.
I saw an article that someone linked on Facebook from thetimestribune.com that explained from 1995-2010, dry counties, in the Times Tribune’s area, showed higher rates of DUI-related crashes than their “moist” neighbors. The article used statistics provided by the Kentucky State Police in regard to DUI crashes.
Please read the article for yourself, here.
I’m sure some of you have heard the rumors that seem to be floating around about a certain precinct in Beaver Dam trying to petition to go wet, but after talking with some city officials, that is what they seem to amount to, rumors. There are no plans or petitions at this time for a wet/dry vote this election season.
Anytime Ohio County or a city within the county has attempted a wet/dry vote, both sides of the issue come out and paint the best and worst picture possible.
One side claims that if we go wet, we will become a county of alcoholics.
The other side claims that if we go wet, every major chain restaurant with a bar will come to the county and bring stacks of money.
I tend to believe that it would fall somewhere in the middle of total destruction and total bliss.
But it seems that, perhaps, after this article, the argument that DUI-related crashes increasing may no longer be valid.
I’ve thought for years that if someone in Ohio County has a problem with alcohol and drinking and driving, the last thing we need is for them to drive 25 to 35 miles from home to buy alcohol. That is a frightening prospect to me as a driver of county roads.
I have no dog in the wet/dry hunt. I just thought that this article would be something that would make you think, no matter what side you are on in the debate.
