With homecoming just a few weekends ago and Halloween coming up, teen drivers are more at risk of driving under the influence. According to the Landendorf firm, In 2020, Indiana had an average of 11 alcohol related crashes a day.
The state of Indiana refers to this issue as OWI, operating while intoxicated. In recent years, more of Indiana’s youth is being affected.
“It’s very dangerous and it applies to teenagers more because they just got their license,” sophomore Helen Treadwell said.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute data shows from 2018-2022, 1718 people were killed in alcohol impaired accidents, in Indiana alone.
It is a problem all around the United States, 29% of fatalities in collisions ages 15-20 involved alcohol according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
“As young people, our bodies aren’t used to alcohol,” Treadwell said.
To combat this issue some schools and drivers education programs have mandated lessons in drunk driving. These lessons aim to educate future drivers on the consequences and dangers.
The legal blood alcohol content for drivers 21 and over is 0.08%.
“I think people should hold their friends accountable if there is drinking involved,” senior Alex Bass said.
Although this could be helpful this hasn’t been the case for some, a CDC statistic shows 16.7% of U.S teens drove with a driver who had been drinking.
For under 21, drivers the law has a zero alcohol tolerance. Consequences may include license suspension, mandated alcohol education and possible jail time. But for many these consequences are the best outcome, others experience life changing mental and physical injuries or even death.
Because this matter directly affects teenagers, schools have put in place measures to combat this concern. At North Central, breathalyzers are used at events like Homecoming and prom, they can also be used at other school centred activities for certain cases.
“We should talk about it more in school and have conversations about the impacts,” sophomore Journey Mcclendon said.
Many students had similar thoughts about what schools could do to enlighten underage drivers.
But for outside of school events, drunk driving is still a growing concern. Teenagers drive to and from parties under the influence of alcohol, often with other passengers who can also be impaired by alcohol. Without a sober driver and passenger to ensure safety, collisions and fatal injuries are a likely possibility.
“It impairs your ability to see and make correct choices,” Treadwell said.
Many studies show Treadwell is correct, tunnel vision is a common effect of driving under the influence. Along with reduced coordination, motor skills and a disrupted reaction time.
Everyday more people are put at risk because of drunk driving. Even drivers following regulations could be affected by other drivers who aren’t, many cases show victims were hit in their cars or while walking because of an alcohol impaired driver.
