Serious consequences for young people who drive intoxicated

February 26, 2014

Not every young person drives badly or irresponsibly, but a number of factors combine to put teenage and young adult drivers more at risk for being involved in car accidents than older drivers. Whether it's from driver inexperience, showing off for friends, or driving while intoxicated, young drivers can be a danger on the roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control, young people are at the top of the list for those at risk of being in a fatal alcohol-related crash, along with motorcyclists and those with prior DUI convictions.

About 30 people are killed in drunk driving accidents in the U.S. every day. In 2012, 32 people in New Jersey died in alcohol-related crashes in which the driver had a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How alcohol affects driving

Many young adults and underage drinkers may not realize how alcohol affects judgment in driving. They may think that it's only dangerous to drive with a blood alcohol content well over the state's legal limit of .08 percent. While it's true that driving is seriously impaired with a high BAC, research has shown that drivers can be affected with as little as .02 percent of alcohol in the bloodstream. At this time, people can experience a loss of judgment and ability to perform two tasks at the same time. At .08 percent, a driver's concentration, memory, judgment and speed control are impaired enough to make driving very dangerous.

Last December in Lawrence Township, a 19-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle on Interstate 95, spun out and crashed into the rear of a parked semi-truck, reported NBC 10 Philadelphia. Two young women, ages 18 and 20, were thrown from the back seat and killed at the scene. The front passenger later died at a hospital. The driver attempted to escape, but was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. In cases like these, it's possible that the families of the victims would want to pursue legal action against the driver.

Understandably, parents would want their children to avoid causing a fatal accident. Community and school education have been shown to help young people make safer driving decisions. Also, parents should talk to their children about the following:
- Never driving while intoxicated or getting into a car with someone who has been drinking.
- Not letting friends drive after drinking.
- Calling home for a ride if it's not safe.
- Being sure someone sober will be driving, before going out.
- Never drinking if underage.

If parents take the time to talk honestly with their kids and set boundaries early, they can help set up a foundation for lifelong smart driving decisions.

Getting help from an attorney

Drunk driving accidents can cause serious injuries and thousands of dollars in medical bills. It isn't easy to pursue legal action against a young person, but if someone has caused an accident due to drunk driving, he or she may be held liable for the compensation of expenses. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney if you or a loved one has been in an accident caused by a drunk driver.

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