Drunk Driving Accidents Among College Students
An estimated 10,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents over the past decade. The fatality rate for drunk driving car accidents is highest among college students who are between 21 and 24 years old. An estimated 2,000 college students between the ages of 18 to 24 die each year from alcohol-related car accidents, and an estimated 120,000 victims are treated in emergency rooms across the country.
The legal age to buy or consume alcohol in the Unites States is 21 years old; yet, 18 percent of drivers under the age of 21 admitted to driving after consuming alcohol, according to a survey orchestrated by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Also, one in five underage college students admitted to driving while intoxicated.
How Are Colleges and Universities Responding to Drunk Driving Fatalities Among College Students?
The media is filled with reports of student deaths on college campuses related to binge drinking. Many colleges and universities have responded to these reports with increased regulations, enforcement, and penalties. The problem that is not being addressed as readily is the number of college students that die in drunk driving car accidents each year.
To address this problem, colleges and universities have proactively developed alcohol abuse prevention programs that aim to identify and treat students that abuse alcohol. These programs screen students and provide treatment programs accordingly.
Safety Tips for College Students
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each college student to drink responsibly and avoid getting behind the wheel after they have consumed alcoholic beverages. There are several suggestions that all students can follow to avoid drunk driving car accidents, including the following:
- Plan to eat a meal before consuming alcohol: Food helps the body absorb alcohol slowly, thus limiting its effects. Drinking water and staying hydrated during the drinking period will also help limit the effects of alcohol.
- Designate a driver before alcohol consumption begins: Do not wait until you start drinking. Make certain to figure out your driving situation before consuming alcohol.
- Call ridesharing services: Services like Uber and Lyft are helpful during a night out.
- Plan to stay overnight: If you are at a party or hotel where an alcohol-related function is happening, plan to stay overnight ahead of time.
- Allow ample time to stop drinking alcoholic beverages before you plan to drive home: Waiting at least 90 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage is recommended. However, the best option is to not drink and drive.
Highland Park Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Represent Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
If you were injured in a drunk driving car accident, call one of our dedicated Highland Park car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr today. For more information about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 877-249-4600. With an office located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas, including New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
