For teens, going away to college is often the first opportunity they have to live away from home. For parents, this can be a stressful time—as they hope they have instilled proper decision-making skills in their children. With this in mind, Henson Fuerst examines issues of alcohol consumption among teens—and nowhere are the risks more apparent than behind the wheel.
The third week of October is National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW)—an event recognized by colleges and universities across the country. Institutions of higher learning sponsor discussion forums, informational programs, and educational initiatives to heighten awareness of underage drinking and other alcohol-related issues on campus—including binge drinking and drunk driving.
Teen Drivers Present a Much Greater Risk
Drivers aged 16-19 are in four times the fatal crashes compared to drivers aged 25-69. In 2015, 235,845 teens 16–19 were injured and 2,333 were killed in accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cite car accidents as the largest cause of adolescent deaths, as over 5,000 teens lose their lives each year.
A Very Serious Issue
Alcohol—as many already know—dramatically increases the risk of death or serious injury behind the wheel. Drinking can severely affect concentration and impair reaction time. The National Safety Council says underage drinking contributes to 25% of teen car crashes. In the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, interviews of high school students found that—within a 30-day period:
- 30% drank some amount of alcohol
- 14% engaged in binge drinking
- 6% drove a vehicle after drinking
- 17% rode with drivers who drank
Drunk Driving a Persistent Concern
As noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 29 people in America will lose their lives in alcohol-related car crashes every day—establishing drunk driving as a serious concern in the United States. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also states drivers under the influence of alcohol take the lives of 10,497 citizens each year.
Let Us Help
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, call the experienced North Carolina Car Accident Attorneys at Henson Fuerst today at 919-781-1107 or complete a free initial consultation form.
When you call, you will speak with one of our experienced Raleigh Car Accident attorneys. They will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to protect your rights. At Henson Fuerst, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front—and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
