Underage Drinking and Driving

Sajan Amin North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

The Problem…

 An underage person doesn't realistically consider the consequences of his or her drinking when getting behind the wheel. Teenagers have this inner sense of invincibility. They are under the impression that they are better, smarter, and more mature then they really are. This is a psychological phase that most teenagers go through, but it is important to realize it before you do anything you’ll regret.  Some kids are peer pressured into driving when the entire party is intoxicated. This peer pressure causes drivers to mistakenly ‘minimize’ the effect alcohol has on their driving abilities and the results are often lethal.

The effects of alcohol

Take a moment to watch the animation. If this is what alcohol does to your handwriting what will it do to your driving?

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/images/SafetyAd2.gif

Statistics

 Every 22 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident.

 In a family of five, the chance that someone in the family will find themselves in an alcohol related motor vehicle crash in their lifetime, is

200%

.

 During the past month (30 days), 26.4% of underage persons (ages 12-20) used alcohol, and binge drinking among the same age group was 17.4%.

http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/data/05data.html#2005data-drugs

Ethics

Let’s see what you have at stake here  Your parents will be disappointed.  Your chances at a job, school, or other opportunities are significantly reduced.

 You have the possibility of jail time along with the infractions on your permanent record. You can’t get rid of these recorded violations. They stick with you throughout your life.

 Alcoholism promotes violence and rugged behavior in the neighborhood and community IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE  Your family and self reputation diminishes  You approach the possibility of getting caught, hospitalization, and early death  You are endangering yourself along with others  Your bodily organs are damaged. Specifically brain and liver.

Know the Law

(may vary state to state)

Possession/Consumption/Internal Possession

 A Minor in Possession (MIP) is the most common charge in the state when it comes to underage drinking. Any teen found with alcohol, or suspected of consuming it will be charged with MIP. Possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor is only allowed if it happens on private property, with the property owner’s consent, and under direct supervision of that minor’s parent or guardian. There are strict punishments for this charge.



First offense:

months Fine up to $250, up to 24 hours community service, and a license revocation for 3 months if the minor fails to follow court ordered instructions

Second offense:

community service, mandatory alcohol class, and a license revocation for 6

Third Offense or More:

license revocation for one (1) year Fine up to $500, up to 24 hours 3-12 months imprisonment and/or $250 $1000 fine (both determined by court), mandatory alcohol class, and a

Know the Law

(may vary state to state)

Loss of Driving Privileges

 “Underage Drinking and Driving (UDD) is the charge given to any driver younger than 21-years-old with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .02 and .05 percent. Teen drivers with a BAC greater than .05 percent can face DUI/DWAI charges just like an adult. A first time UDD conviction is a Class A driving infraction which generally results in a fine up to $100 and community service. A second UDD becomes a criminal charge .” Drivers will also be subject to the following administrative penalties: 

First Offense:

Results in automatic revocation of license for 3 months

Second Offense:

Results in automatic revocation of license for 6 months

Third Offense:

Results in automatic revocation of license for one (1) year

Tricky Scenario #1

Scenario  You are a 17 year-old adolescent and five of your friends want to have a small get-together at your home. You convinced your dad that there won’t be too much harm in supplying some alcohol for you and your friends as long as he can monitor what’s happening under his roof. He makes sure that when your friends drive home they seem okay. Do you think this is okay for the safety of your friends?

Tricky Scenario #1 Answer

Answer 

A:

Your friends could all be cited for a Minor in Possession (MIP) infraction. Which could lead to your dad being charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a felony. Also, if any of your friends were to be caught on the way home, they will be faced with legal charges. Your dad will be charged with aiding and abetting and the driver will be charged for underage drinking and driving (UDD). There is a 0 tolerance for anyone under 21. There is a potential risk of a collision or death.

 As a young adult you should realize the potential results and stop them. Also, have a moral obligation to keep your friends safe.

Tricky Scenario #2

Scenario  Position yourself in a situation where you are surrounded by 6 friends all older than yourself by a year or two. You all decide to hang out at your house because your parents are away for the night. You sneak into their alcohol stash and take unnoticeable amounts. Eventually you are all intoxicated, some more than others. Everyone is famished and decided to designate a driver to drive to McDonalds. You feel as if you are the most capable, but run into the problem of whether or not to volunteer. Either you can risk getting caught and go get the food because you are the least intoxicated OR you can sit quiet and let your friend who is more intoxicated than you go and risk potentially getting caught or causing a wreck. What do you do?

 Note: you will be made fun of if you try to stop anyone from going.

Tricky Scenario #2 Answer

Answer 

A:

Neither there is always a safer option in these cases. You restrain anyone from going even if it renders you uncool. Would you rather be safe or risk more than you already have by drinking and driving.

 If you were in the position where you got caught for drinking at home you would be in less of a mess than if you got caught drunk and driving.

 If you or another friend leave to get food you run the risk of getting caught for UDD, a police record, your parents alerted, and/or possibly a wreck. Also, the members of the community feel unsafe in the presence of such activities.

Benefits of Drinking and Driving!



NONE.

http://www.carinsurancecalculatoronline.com/wp content/uploads/2012/05/drinking-and-driving-300x230.png

How to Curb Underage Drinking and Driving

 The first step in curbing underage drinking is realizing what you’re about to do.

 Ask yourself should I really risk the lives of myself and others?

 Think of the consequences and benefits (previous slide).

 If you don ’t drive while under the influence of alcohol yet still have a drinking problem, talk to a counselor or your parents. Let’s be real here would your parents be more mad if you were caught drinking than if you told them you have a problem in the first place. Think it through.

 Note: It doesn’t make you cool to drink and drive.

Conclusion

 Today, alcohol is widely available and aggressively promoted throughout society. Alcohol has been seen as a normal part of growing up in the eyes of some. Yet, underage drinking is dangerous, not only for the drinker but also for the community as a whole. We can see the proof in the number of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides, and other injuries.

 People who begin drinking and driving run the risk of developing serious alcohol problems, such as alcoholism and also other greater risks mentioned in this presentation.

Bibliography

 http://sadd.org/stats.htm

 http://speaknowcolorado.org/fact -zone/know-the-law/  http://www.thefastertimes.com/p arentingupdate/2010/01/20/punc turing-the-myth-of-teenage invincibility/  http://www.firsteagle.com/tdd.ht

m http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ s_lPZVhMqs/TKqOzKhqyjI/AAAAAAAACXo/LoTgmu9lxtA/s1600/zero1 .png