Teenage Drinking - Protect Yourself From A Dui

By Author: Gordon Fenderson
Total Articles: 1
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Teen drunk drivers are a problem coast to coast. While the 16-24 age bracket makes up just 14% of the population these young drivers account for 28% of alcohol related crashes.

The statistics for teen driving are alarming.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15 to 20 year olds.

In 2007, 19% of the fatalities in the U.S. were related to young-driver crashes.

16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.

16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers.

In 2008, 2,739 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 died in motor vehicle crashes.

Drivers ages 15-20 accounted for 12% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008.

63% of teenage passenger deaths in 2008 occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 19% occurred when a teenager was driving (IIHS).

Why are teens involved in so many collisions which tragic consequences?

They are inexperienced drivers.
They are easily distracted by passengers and their surroundings.
...
... They feel invincible, like it could never happen to them.

When you add alcohol to the mix things get even worse.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration alcohol is the cause of 60% of all teenage deaths in car crashes.

31% of drivers age 15-20 killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking.

25% had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of .08.

In 2008, an estimated 12.4% of persons ages 15 or older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once during the past year.

The rate was highest among persons ages 21-25 at 26.1%

Nationally, over 12% of all fatal crashes were alcohol related and 40% of those involved teenage drivers who were drinking.

Teenage boys who have a blood alcohol concentration of .05 are18 times more likely to suffer a single vehicle crash than a non drinking teenage boy.

Teenage girls who have a blood alcohol concentration of .05 are 54 times more likely to be involved in a vehicle crash.

Eight teens die daily in alcohol related vehicle crashes.

Each day 1,400 injuries and 15 deaths occur to teenage drivers, 40 percent are alcohol related.

The excuse given by teens who were caught drinking and driving include Prom, graduation, spring break and breaking up with their boy or girl friends.

Six of ten high school juniors and seniors admit to riding with an alcohol impaired teenage driver.

The number of teenagers who drink in cars is about 40%. Of that number, 40% of those were teenage drivers who were drinking.

The best thing a parent can do is talk to their child about the dangers of drinking and driving. Offer your child alternatives. 3 out of 4 teens admit to drinking and over 50% admit to binge drinking (consuming 5 or more drinks in an hour). 80% of teens admit to having their first drink before age 16. These are real issues so opening the dialogue on communication is essential. Teen drinking and driving is a serious problem which can had profound effects on a teens scholastic future, can lead to permanent injury, and possibly death, don’t let your child become a statistic.