Teenage Drunk Driving And Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is one of the biggest health problems among teenagers that a recent government survey showed that this is the most commonly abused substance among people aged 21 years and below followed by tobacco and illegal drugs.

Another survey also proved the alarming trend of alcohol abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), more than 11 percent of alcoholic beverages were consumed by underage drinkers, with 90 percent of these consumed through binge drinking.

The CDCP also revealed another surprising finding: more than 11 percent of people aged between 12 and 20 years old admitted to have driven a car while drunk within the past 30 days.

Several studies showed that alcohol greatly reduces the focus and response time of drivers and slows down the rate of their visual scanning, making them more vulnerable to road accidents.

The health agency is also alarmed after discovering that nearly 30 percent of teenagers admitted to ride with a drunk driver within the past month.

In a separate study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicular accident is the leading cause of deaths among people aged between 15 and 20 years old.
Overall, drunk driving accounted for nearly 13 percent of road fatalities in the US, with 40 percent of these involving teenage drunk drivers.

The NHTSA also showed that one out of 10 people aged 12 and 13 years old admitted to drink at least once a month.

With these findings, some government agencies are finding ways to resolve the looming problem of underage drunk driving. Also, many states adapt a law that has a stricter penalty to teenage drunk drivers compared to adults.

Preventing Alcohol-related Traffic Accidents

Several studies suggested that assigning a driver who will remain sober is the most effective way to avoid alcohol-related traffic accidents.

A stiffer penalty can also reduce the rate of alcohol-related accidents. For example, a federal law passed in 1984 states that establishment owners will face severe penalties if they are caught selling or serving alcoholic beverages to minors.

Education is another effective way to reduce alcohol abuses, and subsequently make the road safer for motorists. Several non-government organizations and federal agencies are conducting alcohol awareness programs among youth to teach them about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Many states have also set up sobriety checkpoints (especially in areas near bars, nightclubs, discos, and other establishments where alcoholic beverages are usually served) to take drunk drivers off the road.

While stiffer penalties, legislations, and alcohol awareness programs can reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents, many experts agree that the best way to deal with this problem is through parental guidance and support.

By: Nemilou Despuez

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