The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

In the United States alone 500,000 people are injured each year as a result of drunk driving and an additional 17,000 people are killed (“Drinking and Driving Key facts and Issues,” 2013). Unfortunately, drunk driving is especially prevalent on prom night. Therefore, as prom night approaches it is important to be aware of the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving. While driving a drivers performance can be hampered by a blood alcohol content (BAC) as low as .2 g/l (“Effects of Alcohol Consumption,” 2005). Additionally, drinking reduces people’s reaction times, which may cause a car to not stop quickly enough and crash into the car in front of it. This begins to occur at a BAC of .6 g/l and reaction times continue to worsen at higher concentrations of alcohol.

Moreover, drinking and driving can have legal repercussions even if it does not result in an accident. For adults it is illegal to have a BAC over 0.08, but for minors it is illegal to have any alcohol in your blood while driving. Being caught drinking while intoxicated can result in having to pay fines, license suspension, and in some cases even jail time (“DUI: Driving Under the Influence,” 2011). Thus, while prom should be enjoyable night it is important to not drink and especially to not drink and drive.

By: Andrew Mulderrig

Resources:

• (2013). Drinking and driving key facts and issues. International Center for alcohol policies. Retrieved from http://www.icap.org/PolicyIssues/DrinkingandDriving/KeyFactsandIssues/tabid/132/Default.aspx

• (2005). Effects of alcohol consumption. European commision. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/alcohol/effects_of_alcohol_consumption/effects_on_driver_capabilities.htm

• (2011). DUI: Driving Under the Influence. State of new jersey motor vehicle commission. http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violations/dui.htm