Drunk Driving Car Accidents over Spring Break
With the first touches of spring in the air, college students in our area and throughout the country are eagerly looking forward to taking time off from the pressures of studying and classes. Alcohol often plays a significant role in spring break parties and vacations, which unfortunately can result in an increased risk for drunk driving related car accidents and injuries. While blowing off steam over spring break is a time-honored tradition, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers that exist.
Alcohol Consumption Among College Students
Young people, even those of legal drinking age, may not be used to the sense of freedom they experience while away at school. Their lack of judgement can cause them to drink more frequently than they should or to consume alcohol in amounts that are not safe.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that binge drinking is common among young adults, particularly among college age students and those under the legal drinking age. It is defined as a pattern of drinking four or more drinks every two hours, bringing the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to a level of 0.08 grams or higher. This results in significant impairment and potential health impacts including alcohol poisoning, liver conditions, and brain damage. Other common impacts of binge drinking include:
- Increased odds of being the victim of sexual violence
- Increased risk for unintentional injuries, such as slips and falls, drownings, and severe burns
- Increased likelihood for car or bicycle accidents, as well as pedestrian injuries
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Young People and Drunk Driving Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports as many as 28 people die as the result of drunk driving accidents each day in the U.S. While drunk driving is the leading cause of death for young drivers, those aged 16 through 24 make up close to half of all drivers involved in fatal alcohol related crashes.
Even having just one or two drinks is enough to impair your judgement and reflexes enough to make car accidents and injuries more likely. When young people engage in binge drinking, it has the following effects on their driving abilities:
- Impaired judgment, making speeding and reckless driving behavior more likely
- Poor muscle coordination, impacting the ability to respond to changes on the road or in traffic
- Impaired perception, making it difficult to stay in their lane or to detect how close they are to other drivers
- Lack of concentration, causing them to be more easily distracted and making car accidents more likely to occur
Regardless of the amount of alcohol consumed, those who engage in driving under the influence can be held legally liable for any injuries that result.
Have You Been Involved In An Accident?
If you or someone you care about is involved in an accident with a drunk driver, get the professional legal representation you need and contact Anastopoulo Law Firm right away. Our South Carolina car accident attorneys can advise you on how to hold responsible drivers accountable for their actions, so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
