Steer Clear of Impaired Drivers

Most of those killed in alcohol-related crashes involving teen drivers are the young drivers themselves and their passengers

The problem of driving under the influence:

• Drivers are less likely to use seat belts when they have been drinking³.
• In 2015, 20% of students nationwide had ridden one or more times in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol in the past 30 days².
• A person’s driving ability is impaired under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs – meaning they have trouble judging distances, reacting to sudden changes and overall are more likely to make dangerous decisions while driving putting their lives and your own in danger.
• Zero tolerance law makes it illegal per se (in and of itself) for persons under the age of 21 to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood³.

Know the Consequences:

• Violators of underage drinking laws often face a trip to jail, the loss of their driver’s license, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses including attorney fees, court costs, and other fines³.
• A DUI conviction follows a teen, so there is the added embarrassment, humiliation, and potential loss and consequence related to academic eligibility, college acceptance, scholarship awards, and more³.
• Increased efforts by local law enforcement make the chances of getting caught even greater³.
• The Texas Department of Transportation conducted a study which found that a first time offender could expect to pay between $5,000 and $24,000 for DWI arrest and conviction.

What to do about driving under the influence of alcohol:

• If the driver of your vehicle has been drinking or has used drugs:
  • Refuse to ride with them
  • Call someone you trust to help
  • Walk, bike, or find a different way if your trip is short
• If you see a driver that should not drive:
  • Let a responsible adult know
  • Tell him or her to call a cab or find a ride
  • Ask him or her to wait until they are able to drive
• Food, coffee or exercise will not reduce the amount of alcohol in someone’s system. Only time decreases the effects of alcohol.
• Don’t believe someone can “fool” a police officer. They are trained to look for tale-tell signs of someone who is under the influence.
• Everyone reacts to alcohol differently. If you know a friend has been drinking, assume they are unable to drive.

 

Sources:

1. Voas, R.B.; Torres, P.; Romano, E.; and Lacey, J.H. 2012. Alcohol-related risk of driver fatalities: an update using 2007 data. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 73(3):341-350.
2. Center for Disease Control, 2015. Youth risk behavior surveillance.  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2015/ss6506_updated.pdf
3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
4. Center for Disease Control, 2013. Youth risk behavior surveillance.  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
5. IIHS, Alcohol Impaired Driving Facts, 2014