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How to Stop Binge Drinking in Colleges? – A Student’s Perspective

Posted on Sep 28, 2011

A lot of attention has been directed towards the issue of binge drinking on college campuses. However the students perspective on the effects of binge driving can hardly be found. Binge drinking has been defined by some as “people drinking an extremely large amount of alcohol in a small amount of time”, but there is no universally agreed upon definition of binge drinking. This is a cause of concern as the underlying causes and solutions to control binge drinking can only be devised once the term has been defined.

Binge Drinking Is Not a Simple Notion to Understand For Students

To date, the number of drinks one must consume in one sitting for it to be regarded as binge drinking incident have not been pinned down. Experts cannot agree on the volume of drinking and the time period for binge drinking episodes. Recently a survey of college students was published that stated that the majority of co-eds believe that binge drinking constitutes drinking 5 or more standard drinks for men, and 4or more for women, in one hour. However this definition is indistinct and there are variables that are not taken into account in this definition. Drunk driving can be defined by the results of a test of bodily fluids, or motor skills, however binge drinking avoids easy definitions.

The Dilemma in Passing Tough Binge Drinking Laws

If a college student attached a funnel to a keg of beer and attempted to consume its contents, would this be considered as binge drinking? Most people would think so. However, it does not fit the definition of binge drinking according to college students surveyed. Think about the unpredictable results of the above action. It could lead to anything from death via alcohol poisoning to a student waking up with a hangover the next morning. This example reveals how hard it is to pass a law against such actions with offers such mixed results after completion.

No Legislative Solution Possible to Curb Binge Drinking

Like students most lawmakers see the dilemma of this solution and realize how unfeasible it is to find a person guilty of binge drinking without an agreed upon definition of the problem. In addition, many students see binge drinking as a problem that only affects the drinker. If they get behind the wheel of a car, there are already laws that cover drunk driving; also there are laws against public drunkenness and underage drinking. Therefore, this problem seems to defy legislative solutions.

A Drinking Deterrence Approach– The Only Way to Stop Binge Drinking

Some experts suggest that in order to stop binge drinking, laws targeting drinking specifically will have better results. Considering this, many students have proposed that campuses begin efficient anti-alcohol consumption programs to curb binge drinking.

Community Effort is Required to Curb Binge Drinking

It appears that the solitary solution to stop binge drinking will be a change in societies’ view on consumption of alcohol in general. Limiting or ending this kind of conduct requires community effort as this is something that students cannot manage by themselves.

Alcohol, Drinking Law, Teenage Drunk Drivers, Underage DrinkingNo Comments »Alcohol Binge Drinking Colleges Drinking Laws

Causes of Drunk Driving in Professionals

Posted on Sep 15, 2011

Drunk driving is one of the most hazardous things a person can do. There is plenty of investigative proof that shows that performance and reaction times while operating a vehicle is acutely affected by drinking. People that drive after drinking heavily endanger themselves, their passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.

Delayed Impairment Recognition in Professionals

Recently, researchers reported that those who get behind the wheel after having too many drinks are not aware of their impairment. Research shows that the brain’s reaction time does not keep up with the effects of alcohol on the body. This means that people actually feel as if they are fine, when in reality they are impaired.

Bad Decision Making in Drunk Driving Professionals

These drivers are impaired in their thinking and reaction times. They make bad decisions due to their impairment. The first bad decision they make is drinking and driving. They have trouble gauging speed, going through intersections, changing lanes, maintaining safe traveling distance, and staying in their lane.

Added Dangers of Drunk Driving for Professionals

The impairment in brain function leads many professionals to drink and drive even with the inherent dangers that come with this risky behavior. Not only are there physical and economic dangers for professionals in some states, they may not be able to renew their professional licenses if they have a DWI charge on their record.

Repeated Drunk Driving in Professionals

Another cause of drunk driving in professionals is that the majority of those who drink and drive have done it many times before and have never been caught. Most professionals do not fit the profile of a person that has frequent issues with law enforcement; many DWI stops start as other violation and then escalate into DWI offenses. The average professional does not attract the attention of law enforcement officers. Repeated successful drunk driving trips encourage professionals in believing that they can make it home no matter how drunk they are.

Drunk Driving among General Public and Professionals

Professionals also attend office parties were alcohol is commonly accessible and vigorously promoted. Drinking is a standard part of professional get-togethers and celebrations. The dangerous practice of drinking and driving will continue as a problem among professionals within this type of atmosphere. To address the causes of drunk driving in professionals we must address the use of alcohol in the society as well as in the public.

Alcohol, DWI, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »Alcohol Drunk Driving DWI Impaired Driving Professionals

Alcohol Consumption and Traffic Crashes in US

Posted on Sep 20, 2010

An organization called Insurance Institute for Highway Safety keeps track of alcohol consumption and traffic accident in the U.S. It is a neutral party that investigates the reasons behind traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on the highways of America. Insurance companies help the organization by donating money for its work hoping that the results of their investigation will reduce the number of accident on the roads which is in the insurance companies’ best interest. This organization also keeps track of alcohol consumption and traffic crashes in the U.S.

Effects of Alcohol Consumption and Traffic Crashes in US

It is not easy to calculate the proportion of traffic accidents and automobile crashes that involve alcohol consumption. Getting definite numbers is not entirely possible. Even though drinking is known to elevated the chances of vehicle accidents but its presence alone is not enough to say it caused an accident. All accidents that a driver has with an elevated blood alcohol level are not caused by drinking.

Statistical Difficulties in Calculating Alcohol Consumption and Accidents

To find out the amount of accidents caused by alcohol consumption, it first has to be established how many times people in America drive while drinking and do not cause accidents. This is a stat that is rarely measured and is difficult to come by.

Results of Studies Done on Fatal Traffic Accident and Alcohol Consumption

A study done in 2002 by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) estimated a number just below 40% represented the number of all traffic deaths that happened with one of the drivers having a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or above. This stat is used to show proof that 1/3 to 1/2 of all deadly accidents are caused by alcohol consumption and that the accidents would not have happened if alcohol consumption was not somehow involved. However making this assumption is not entirely accurate and is a little misleading due to the fact that alcohol is just one of many factors which affect accident and people that drive while intoxicated.

Using estimated calculations to come up with numbers

The above stat may be accurate but it is still based partially on estimated numbers and incomplete information. More accurate studies show that only about 13 percent of all vehicle operators involved in deadly accidents in the US during a specific year were known to have had high levels of alcohol in their systems due to consumption. This number is more accurate because it is based off looking at the official records of all crashes that involve a deaths during that year in the U.S. this takes out the guess work of early studies and shows a reduced rate of alcohol consumption and traffic crashes in the U.S.

Unreported Crashes

Consider also that these studies are all based on crashes that involve fatalities because these accidents will most certainly be reported. How many accidents which involve alcohol consumption or no alcohol consumption are not ever reported to any agency? This will make you understand how many facts that are reported in the popular press which are based on guesswork and estimations are reported as fact.

Reducing factors which contribute to crashes in US

Alcohol consumption is just one factor in reducing preventable traffic crashes and there has been a drop in alcohol related crashes over the years, this does not negate the fact that we must do more to prevent drunk driving it just points to the fact that we must do even more to reduce crashes caused by all factors like a cell phone users, aggressive drivers, or sleepy drivers. They must all be reduced.

Alcohol, DWI Issues2 Comments »Alcohol Consumption DWI Crashes