Posts Tagged ‘Teenage Drivers’

Teen Drunk Driving Statistics in the US

Posted on Jul 22, 2010

Given their age and youthful nature, teenagers will express great enthusiasm when receiving their newfound freedom of getting their driver’s license and being able to drive on their own. However this newfound freedom, along with inexperience, in addition to the startling statistics of teenagers drinking and driving is a scary combination. Teens who have been drinking, usually lack good judgment, and the feeling of responsibilities and consequences of drinking and driving.

Teenage Driving In the US

In a recent survey conducted by the CDC, teenagers account for nearly fifty percent of binge drinking (drinking more than five drinks during one sitting). According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6.4 percent out of 194.3 million drivers licensed in the United States fell in between the ages 16 to 20. Though these teen drivers represent a small percentage of the total American drivers, teenage drivers is said to cause a disproportionately high percent of roadway accidents.

Teenage Drinking and Driving – Some alarming statistics

The leading cause of death for those ages 15-20 is a car accident.
According to the CDC 4,767 teenagers died from fatal car crash injuries in 2004.
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 31% of all 15 to 20 year olds had been drinking when killed in a car accident, and 25% of them were alcohol impaired.
Teenage drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle collision than their older more experienced driving counterparts, notes the CDC.
Teen drivers are responsible for twelve percent of all road-related fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports twenty-three percent of teenage drivers in fatal car crashes possessed a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level above the legal limit of .08 on the breathalyzer test.
According to a 2002 CDC report that, the econosmic cost of automobile accidents involving teenagers is a staggering forty billion dollars or more annually.

Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties for Teens:

The fact is, driving is a privilege. Though there are DUI laws in place, they are still being ignored. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and when you get caught your life will be turned up-side-down. Here are a few things that could happen:

Increase in auto insurance rates or even denial of insurance coverage.
Seizure of motor vehicle
The loss or suspension of driver’s license
Limited job opportunities
Jail time
Hefty fines
Community service
Probation, DUI programs

Alcohol abuse in teens is a serious problem in the US. Underage drinking and being illegally intoxicated can be life altering for not only themselves, but all innocent bystanders on the road as well. These statistics are real; don’t try so hard to be just another statistic!

Teenage Drunk Drivers – A Serious Concern

Posted on Jun 12, 2009

Statistics and Consequences of Teenage Drunk Driving

One teenager is killed every hour due to drunken driving in the US

At least 70% of teenagers have consumed alcohol before they are 21years of age

Teenage drunk driving takes place mostly during night times and when two of them drive the vehicle.

75% of teenage drivers involved in a drunken driving accident did not wear their seat belts.

1/4th of motor vehicle accidents are caused due to teenage drunk driving. The dangerous drunk driving statistics are alarming for anyone who care of himself & other people’s well being.

Among the overall alcohol consumption, underage drinking accounts for close to 20% of the drinking population.

Males are more involved in teenage drinking and driving than females, while the percentage of female driving is also on the rise.

Close to 14% of fatal vehicle accidents is due to teenage driving after consumption.

Among the total drinking population close to 10 million of them are individuals below the legal drinking age of 21 years.

A leading cause for deaths between the age group of 15 to 20 years is due to drunk driving.

Of the total US population teenagers between the age group of 15 to 20 years constitute 7% of the total population.

Loss accounting for 53 billion dollars is incurred due to teenage drinking and driving and underage drinking.

Remedial measures to curb increase in Teenage Drunk Drivers

A presentation of statistics pertaining to teenage drinking and driving entails the immediate need for curbing the rise in teenage drunk drivers and its consequences. The remedial measures involve positive measures from every side.

Teenagers tend to pose greater risk to both themselves and others.

Parental concern is the first of all measures which will help in curbing teenage Drunk Driving. Their guidance and involvement exhibited by parents in bringing up their loved ones plays a vital role in making youngsters understand the hazards of drinking and driving.

States have started imposing harsh penalties on teenagers who involve in drinking and driving.

Legal drinking age is announced as 21 years of age which means drinking below 21 is a crime. Such regulations put a check on drinking habits if teenagers.

Zero Tolerance law has been introduced in all states. According to this law individuals below the age of 21 are expected to drive a vehicle without consuming any amount of alcohol. Any amount of alcohol found in their body at the time of accident or even while driving, they are booked under DWI offense and subjected DWI conviction.

DWI laws of the states have become very strict when it comes to dealing with teenagers who drive the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Parents are also subject to conviction in cases where parents furnish alcohol to their teenage children, leading to a vehicle mishap.

Strict laws have been enforced in order to control alcohol abuse among youngsters or minors who are found drinking, possessing or even trying to buy alcoholic drinks.

The punishments imposed on underage drinking and driving cases involves suspension of driving license, huge fines and jail term. It also requires compulsory attendance of alcohol treatment programs in certain cases.

If you have an experience to share Teenage Drunk Driving please write to us. Sharing your experience might help in preventing many more of such incidence.

DWI Issues, DWI Victims, Juvenile Drinking, Teenage Drunk Drivers7 Comments »Drunk Driving Statistics Teenage Drivers Teenage Drunk Driving