Drunk Driving Papers

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Informational Essay- Drunk Driving

Every two minutes, someone is injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver. In a crash, the car isn’t the only thing damaged. Drunk driving doesn’t just impact the victim, it also impacts family, friends, and the community. In addition, it carries a big price tag, a near $132 billion per year goes to expenses related to drunk driving. Two out of three people will be involved in a drunk driving accident sometime within their life (MADD). Despite all of the awareness, there are still immense amounts of daily crashes especially toward children and adolescents, and the rate at which drunk driving occurs, and the different laws and regulations against driving under the influence. Although attention towards drunk …show more content…

The definition of drunk driving is operating a vehicle with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) 0.08% or higher. According to the DMV (Department of Motorized Vehicles), "Driving while under the influence of an intoxicant, including alcohol, legal prescription medications, illegal or controlled drugs, or other chemical substances. Driving with a detectable amount of any restricted controlled substance in the bloodstream. Driving while under the influence of a controlled substance or any other drug.” The consequences of a first offense OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) is a fine ranging between $150 to $300, a surcharge of $365, and a license suspension of six to nine months. Depending on the BAC level, an ignition interlock device may be necessary. An ignition interlock device is an alcohol measuring system that is attracted to your ignition. Before starting your car you must blow into the device that will detect any alcohol in your body. If the device detects any alcohol, the car won't start. Repeat offenders will have a greater fine, longer suspension, and greater chance of possible jail time. Some consequences of the refusal to test a blood or breath sample may result in a suspension of the driver's license, possible jail time, and/ or a fine. Every state is different as for rules of drunk driving. The legal limit for all states in a BAC of 0.08% or higher, but states can choose to have a stricter law. In Utah, the legal BAC is set at 0.05%. However in Wisconsin, there is zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving, and doing so will result in a ticket. The DUI law also has zero tolerance for drivers under the influence of any other drug such as marijuana, cocaine, meth, and other intoxicants (Driving Laws). The rules for drunk driving are particularly strict. If you are arrested for drunk driving you will automatically be fined for up to $300, and a license

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    533 Words  | 2 Pages

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  • Teenage Drunk Driving

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

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  • Keeping the Drinking Age at 21 and Saving Some Lives

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    Each year, about 5,000 teens are killed or injured in traffic crashes as a result of underage drinking and about 1,900 are due to car accidents. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation) In the newsletter, safety in numbers by National highway traffic administration and U.S department of transportation “Of all the people who died in motor vehicle crashes during 2012, 31 percent died in crashes involving a drunk driver, and this percentage remains unchanged for the past 10 years” (Vol 1, 2013). Crashes involving alcohol include fatal crashes in which a driver had a BAC of .01 g/ ld. or higher (Underage Drinking Statistics)). Deadly crashes involving alcohol are twice as common in teens compared to people 21 and older. This is because teens’ judgment skills are harmed more by alcohol. Teens who drink not only risk hurting themselves, they risk hurting their friends, family, and even strangers when driving intoxicated. Teens and parents both need a strong reminder that underage drinking is illegal and can have disastrous consequences. According to Health Day News, “one study found that in 2011, 36 percent of U.S. college students said they'd gone binge drinking (five or more drinks in one sitting) within the past two weeks, as compared to 43 percent of college students in 1988. Since 2006, the current law has reduced the rate of drunk driving crashes among young Americans” (Preidt, 2014 and DeJong, 2014). This proves that lives have been saved after the legal drinking age increased. According to an article in Time Magazine called “Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered?”, “lowering the drinking age to 18 would stop infantilizing college students, but it would probably kill mor...

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    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

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    736 Words  | 2 Pages

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    1619 Words  | 4 Pages

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