A Lucky Guy

It may not feel like it to him right now, but Justin Timberlake is a lucky guy.

The pop star, who has been accused of — and it’s important to note that it’s just an accusation at this point — driving drunk after leaving The American Hotel in Sag Harbor last week, has been the target of a worldwide maelstrom of media reports detailing his arrest.

National and international media outlets have been camped out in the village, trying to interview everyone and anyone with any knowledge of — or, at this point, even speculation about — the incident. The Sag Harbor Village Police officer who arrested him, who was just doing his job, has been raked over the coals, with at least one media outlet interviewing people who have had run-ins with the officer and had unkind things to say.

In other words, it’s just your standard “summer in the Hamptons” media circus. It’s set to expire at the time of the next high-profile arrest on the East End — and, rest assured, there will be one.

So why is Mr. Timberlake lucky? If the allegations of his poor decision-making in driving drunk are true, he’s fortunate that he didn’t kill anyone. Or himself.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk driving crashes per day. That’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving deaths.

Imagine what the headlines would have been last week if there had been a crash. If another car had been involved, or if a pedestrian had been crossing the road. While Mr. Timberlake may be facing what may seem to be an insurmountable eddy of bad press right now, it will likely die down in a couple of weeks, or at least by the end of the season. But if the incident had turned tragic, perhaps even his star power would not have been enough to help him recover.

The saddest thing about the NHTSA statistics is that every single one of those deaths was preventable. In this day and age, there is simply no reason for anyone to drive drunk.

For many people, especially during the summer on the East End, imbibing in their favorite cocktails can be a great way to recreate, to relax, to celebrate and to socialize. But when it comes to getting behind the wheel afterward, there is just no excuse. There are plenty of other options. Rent a car and driver. Hire an Uber or Lyft. Pick a designated driver. Call a friend or a taxicab.

But getting behind the wheel after having even a couple of drinks is just foolish. And risky.

Hopefully, with some reflection, it’s a lesson that Mr. Timberlake — if he’s truly guilty of DWI — can take from last week’s incident, and realize that things could have gone in a much more tragic direction. The rest of us? There’s also a lesson here: If Justin Timberlake can get arrested for it, anyone can. Don’t take any chances.