DWI Conviction for Juveniles in LA

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DWI Conviction for Juveniles in LA

March 24, 2010
Author: Chris M. Alexander

To make the dangers of juvenile DWI in Los Angeles real for students, officials at Palisades High School parked a wrecked car on campus and called in law enforcement to show students and parents of the dangers of drinking and driving. Then a local parent told the tragic story of the death of his 17 year old son who died in a horrific crash on an L.A. street in October of 1988. This story brought home the realities of underage drinking and driving to the students.

Effects of Juvenile DWI

Driving While Intoxicated not only affects adults; many juveniles who have not reached the legal age for drinking choose to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. Drinking and driving is very dangerous for adults and juveniles. Juveniles are not as experienced behind the wheel and are not able to make responsible decisions when they are intoxicated.

Most days, at least nine juveniles die because of an alcohol related issue. Three out of the nine were related to DUI. About 38% of youths killed in traffic accidents in 2003 died due to alcohol-related incidents.

College Students and Drunk Driving

A poll of college students in 2001 revealed that 26% of underage drinkers have driven while intoxicated. Of those students, 10% said they had driven after drinking five drinks. Almost 25% of the students related that they routinely ride with someone who is drunk or high within in a month of the poll.

Lack of Understanding for Driving While Intoxicated

In 2000, drivers under 21 made up 7% of the total number of licensed drivers however, they accounted for 13% of drunk driving deaths in that year. Most youths don’t realize or understand the effects that blood alcohol content has on the brain and body and how drinking affects the way they drive a car. Because of the greater death rates associated with juvenile drinking and driving, most states have stricter laws to discourage underage drinkers from drinking and driving.

Recent studies have shown that states in which “zero tolerance” laws have been implemented see a decrease in the likelihood of binge drinking behavior (more than 5 drinks per sitting) among boys aged 18 – 20 by 13%.

Sad Reality of DWI Convictions

Since 1984, when the drinking age of 21 became federal law, it is estimated that thousands of lives have been saved each year. But, because of negligence and loopholes in laws in certain states, it is still relatively easy for people under the age of 21 to drink alcohol to the point of intoxication. The sad truth is that underage drunk driving will remain a problem and cause needless deaths for as long as alcohol is available for juveniles.

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