Drinking and Driving Among College Students
Most students are aware that drinking and driving are not compatible, yet regrettably, many continue to do so. Every day, 29 people die in car accidents involving an inebriated driver, according to the CDC.
What does “drinking and driving” even mean?
Different states in the US have different names for it. Some people use words like drunk driving or intoxicated driving. Some might refer to it as impaired driving. With the exception of one state (Utah), all US states see a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent to be a crime. Such regulations make it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol.
If you're under the age of 21 (and probably a student), regulations are even stricter. There’s a zero-tolerance policy for such offenses. States may additionally impose harsher punishments for drivers with extremely high blood alcohol concentrations, kids in the vehicle, or multiple offenses. Drunk driving lawyers can assist individuals who are facing charges for driving under the influence of alcohol, helping them to navigate the legal process and potentially minimize the consequences of their offense.
What are the dangers of drunk driving?
Your driving abilities will nevertheless be influenced by the amount of alcohol in your system. Alcohol misuse has a wide range of effects, and it will place you at a high risk of causing an accident or harming someone. To read more about drunk driving, you can check out this drunk driving essay for college. Reading more about it could help you and your friends stay safe. However, an essay example will not prevent you from acting dangerously.
Driving safely means being able to concentrate, making sound decisions, and reacting swiftly to changing circumstances. Alcohol will impair these abilities. This is how.
Slow reaction time
Alcohol affects how quickly you react to certain events. Drinking reduces your reaction time, which can easily increase the risk of an accident. As a result, if the automobile in front of you abruptly brakes or a person crosses the street, your brain will take longer to evaluate the situation and avoid a collision. That being said, you’re more prone to hitting someone on the street or not reacting adequately to a critical situation if you’re under the influence.
A lack of coordination
Your coordination skills will also be affected by heavy drinking; and guess what, you might not be able to avoid a potentially dangerous situation if you don't have the necessary coordination abilities. You could check if your coordination is on point. You might be experiencing walking difficulties, swaying, and the inability to stand straight. Drinking too much alcohol might make getting into your car difficult. How are you supposed to drive in such conditions?
Reduces focus
No matter how much booze you consume, it will affect your concentration and diminish your focus. Many things require your complete attention while driving. You’ve got to make sure that you’re remaining in your lane, for one. You should also watch your speed, multiple other cars on the road, and different traffic signals. Drinking reduces your attention span, which raises your chances of being involved in an accident.
Impairs vision
Drinking too much alcohol might have a bad impact on your vision. You may find that your eyesight is impaired or that you can't regulate the movement of your eyes after drinking. Thus, your ability to assess the distance between your car and other vehicles may be impaired. Furthermore, not as many items are visible in your side vision when you’re wasted, so here’s another way you could get involved in an accident.
Inhibits clear judgement
Your brain is in charge of how you assess different situations. When operating a car, your judgment abilities are crucial in determining how you act. For example, if another car cuts you off, you must be prepared to anticipate risks and make quick decisions. While driving, your judgment helps you stay awake and aware of the surroundings.
How to avoid drunk driving?
Consider a few things when planning a social gathering that includes alcohol. Here’s what you should be thinking about in order to avoid drunk driving and keep everyone in your range safe and sound.
- Determine from the first start who will be the DD for your group.
- Allowing pals to drive after they’ve been drinking is not a good idea. Take the keys away from them.
- Ride with a friend who hasn't been drinking or call an Uber if you've been drinking.
- If you're throwing a party with alcohol, make sure to have non-alcoholic drinks on hand and encourage attendees to select a sober driver.
- As a parent or caregiver, discuss the consequences of drunken driving with your teen. Solicit their signature on a vow not to drink and drive.
- If you detect a drunk driver on the highway, call 911 and give the position and direction the vehicle is traveling. Don’t forget to include their license plate number and car model.
Wrapping Up
Now that you’ve learned the risk of drinking and driving, stop doing it and prevent others from harming themselves also. Be aware of your actions, don’t let yourself be influenced by peer pressure. Only drive sober!
Author Bio:
Michael Turner is a freelance writer and comic specialist. He writers for a popular magazine and blogs in his free time. Michael is currently studying Japanese.