Katherine Sidnell
Footage of Americans in the 80s has left viewers baffled as it shows the crazy reactions to news at the time that tightened up laws on drink driving.
While America has often called the 'land of the free', these citizens clearly disagree and shockingly argue about their right for a few brews behind the wheel.
Shared to TikTok, the nostalgic clip shows just how much attitudes have changed in California since the eighties.
Advert
Now, we should point out that drinking and driving first became outlawed in 1910 by the state of New York, closely followed by California before the rest of America took on the decision.
However, restrictions have continued to shift and evolve over the years, with an update in the 1980s when the legal alcohol limit went from 0.15% to 0.10%.
It's safe to say a lot of people didn't take too kindly to the news.
The viral clip was shared by TikTok user @cali_nostalgia, with a news reporter explaining that any attempt to restrict drinking and driving is viewed by locals as being 'downright undemocratic'.
One man even stated that the new US rule was 'communist' as he was hilariously outraged by the news.
He pointedly said: "It's kind of getting communist when a fella can't put in a hard day's work, put in 11 to 12 hours a day, and then get in your truck and at least drink one or two beers."
In the next clip, a woman who is sat in the car next to her baby says: "They're making laws where you can't drink when you want to, you have to wear a seatbelt when you're driving.
"Pretty soon we're going to be a communist country."
When you look at the statistics though, you can hardly argue with lawmakers.
Across the entire decade of the 1980s, there were 22.3 deaths by motor vehicle-related injuries per 100,000, as opposed to 11.7 in 2020.
Understandably, thousands have commented on the clip and shared their own experience of how driving attitudes have changed.
One recalled: “I remember reading about a motorcycle drivers protesting helmets in New York…
“In the middle of the protest drive one guy got in an accident and died. They said he would’ve lived if he had a helmet on.”
Another shared their tragic story highlighting the damage caused by drunk driving, said: "When my dad was hit and killed on his motorcycle by a drunk driver, there were hardly any consequences for him.
“He paid us a tiny settlement and was free. He was so drunk that he ‘didn’t see’ my dad, mind you this was during a ride for Sight (fundraiser for cancer and other eye diseases) and there were at least 10 other bikes on the road.
“Never saw any jail time, never even was arrested. He never thought that drinking and driving was illegal or harmful."
Clearly, stricter laws on road safety are to benefit drivers, which is what makes this video even more shocking to watch.