Underage drivers who consume alcohol and get behind the wheel are not just risking their own lives but also putting the lives of others at risk. Consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol can be devastating and can go beyond the individual person involved.
Young adults that are not legally allowed to drink often think that they can handle alcohol just as well as their older counterparts. However, they lack the experience and judgment that comes with age and life experience. This makes them more susceptible to making poor decisions. As a result, alcohol and driving for young drivers is a particularly dangerous combination.
Drinking alcohol can impair a person’s judgement and reaction time, making it difficult for the driver to make split second decisions while on the road. This can result in catastrophic accidents, which can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
Underage drivers have to abide by more stringent laws when it comes to drunk-driving. This is because they are not yet medically or legally allowed to consume alcohol. The consequences of a minor driving under the influence can be far-reaching. It can result in legal charges that can follow them around for years, especially if someone is injured or killed during the accident.
Most states require a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher for adults to be charged with driving under the influence. But for minors, law enforcement officers can charge them with driving under the influence if their BAC is only 0.02% or higher. This means that even a small amount of alcohol can put underage drivers over the legal limit for drinking and driving.
One of the major consequences of drunk-driving is the number of fatalities it causes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 1,908 drivers aged 15 to 20 years were involved in fatal crashes, of which 26% had been drinking. This shows how underage drinking and driving is one of the leading causes of deaths among young people.
Drunk-driving accidents can also cause long-term emotional and financial damages. For instance, if a driver, or worse, a passenger, is seriously injured during the accident, the family is left with huge medical bills and rehabilitation costs. Other individuals may also be traumatized by the incident, especially if they lost a loved one to the event. In such cases, the driver’s parents or guardians are liable for these costs, in addition to the legal fees.
In most cases, parents are responsible for ensuring their children do not drink and drive. Parents can set a good example by never drinking and driving themselves and by talking to their children about the consequences of underage drinking and driving. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advises parents to make it clear to their children that drinking and driving is unacceptable and illegal, and can result in their losing their driving privileges and other fines.
Schools and community groups can also play an instrumental role in educating young drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving. Schools and colleges can host events and guest speakers who talk about the aftermath of drunk-driving incidents. These events can be used to help promote safe driving and drug and alcohol free lifestyles among young people.
In addition, community groups can provide resources for young drivers such as free or discounted taxi rides during holidays and special events. This service can help young drivers who are under the influence of alcohol get home safely, as well as reinforce that drinking and driving is not acceptable.
In conclusion, underage drivers should never drink and drive. They lack the experience, judgment, and legal permission to consume alcohol, and are not capable of handling such a high-risk behavior. Parents, schools and community groups all have a role to play when it comes to educating young drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving, and providing resources to help them make responsible decisions. By working together, we can help save lives and prevent tragedies.