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Conver 2018

This document discusses the dangers of drinking and driving. It notes that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and can result in crashes, injuries, deaths, and legal penalties. Those most at risk of drinking and driving include binge drinkers, those with alcohol use disorder, and younger drivers between 16-24 years old. The economic and social costs of alcohol-related crashes are also significant, with over 10,000 deaths in the US each year due to impaired driving. The document advocates for preventing drinking and driving in order to save lives and reduce crashes.

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aldy
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52 views

Conver 2018

This document discusses the dangers of drinking and driving. It notes that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and can result in crashes, injuries, deaths, and legal penalties. Those most at risk of drinking and driving include binge drinkers, those with alcohol use disorder, and younger drivers between 16-24 years old. The economic and social costs of alcohol-related crashes are also significant, with over 10,000 deaths in the US each year due to impaired driving. The document advocates for preventing drinking and driving in order to save lives and reduce crashes.

Uploaded by

aldy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Good morning everyone in this chance I’m going to do a campaign about drinking and driving.

Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle – car, truck, motorcycle or any other motorized vehicle
– after consuming alcohol is a serious crime. Drinking and driving is referred to as driving under the
influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), and involves operating a vehicle with a blood
alcohol content (BAC) level of at least 0.08 percent. However, even a small amount of alcohol can
lead to harmful situations. Some drivers may not even show warning signs of being under the
influence, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous. It’s important to remember that any form
of drinking and driving is illegal and can come with strict punishment.

The largest group at risk for drinking and driving are those who binge drink or are struggling with an
alcohol use disorder (AUD). This means they consume a large amount of alcohol in a short period of
time, putting them at risk for harmful side effects. It takes roughly 30 minutes to two hours for
alcohol to be absorbed into your bloodstream. During this time, your breathing may slow down and
your cognitive skills may be delayed. Because of this, it is always dangerous to drink and drive.

The economic costs of these crashes include:


 Lost productivity
 Workplace losses
 Legal expenses
 Medical costs
 Emergency medical services
 Insurance administration
 Congestion
 Property damage

Who is Most at Risk?


Alcohol consumption can put anyone at risk of causing an accident or other serious injury. However,
some populations are more likely to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.

Drivers who are between the ages of 16 and 20 years old are 10 times more likely to be involved in a
fatal crash, than drivers over the age of 21. While the number of underage drinking and driving cases
has significantly decreased, many communities are pushing out new initiatives to keep adolescents
safe. In 2011 alone, close to one million high school teens admitted to drinking and driving.

The second highest alcohol-related crash risk includes individuals between the ages of 21 to 24. In
2012, 21 to 24 year olds had the highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes with a BAC level of
0.08 percent or higher – 32 percent. Many of these cases involved binge drinking, a form of
consuming too much alcohol in a short period of time. This often affects college students and young
professionals who attend parties and other social events that have easy access to alcohol.
Drinking and Driving Laws
Federal regulation constitutes a DWI as driving with a BAC level of 0.08 percent or higher. A motor
vehicle may include car, truck, bicycle, golf cart, snowmobile and jet skis. Each state has its own laws
surrounding DWI convictions such as the fines involved, jail time and possible revoked or suspended
license. Depending on the legal charges, some states may also require community service time or
alcoholism treatment.

Many states have enacted various laws in an effort to reduce the dangers of drinking and driving. For
instance, zero tolerance laws are aimed at adolescents who get behind the wheel of a car after
consuming alcohol. Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal in the United States and comes with strict
punishment. If you are charged with underage drinking and operating a motor vehicle, you could
face severe legal penalties.

A DWI or DUI conviction can impact your life in a number of ways. Consequences of drinking and
driving can hurt your family and relationships, cost you employment opportunities, cause financial
difficulties, high insurance rates and possible time in jail.

How big is the problem?


 In 2016, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all
traffic-related deaths in the United States.1
 Of the 1,233 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2016, 214 (17%) involved an
alcohol-impaired driver.1
 In 2016, more than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
or narcotics.3 That’s one percent of the 111 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-
impaired driving among U.S. adults each year (figure below).
 Over 1.2 million drivers were arrested in 2011 for driving under the influence of alcohol or
narcotics.
 Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of those crashes
involve an underage drinking driver

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