Drinking and driving continues to be a genuine problem in the U.S. amongst people of all ages. However, young adults seem to be more prone to drinking and driving than any other age group. The penalties for drinking and driving vary according to California state law and depend on factors such as age, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and whether any damage, injuries or fatalities occurred as a result.
For individuals over the age of 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher; however, young adults can be charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher. Because being charged with a DUI can have a significant impact on your life and because the penalties can be severe, it’s important that you speak with a DUI lawyer in Southern California as soon as possible after charges have been filed.
Young Adult Drunk Driving Stats
To highlight how problematic and serious young adult drunk driving is, consider the following statistics:
- Out of all of the fatal car accidents that occurred in 2014 as a result of drunk driving, 30 percent of the drivers involved were between the ages of 21 to 24. Around 29 percent of the drivers involved were between 25 and 34.
- Around 25 percent of all car crashes with teenage drivers involve an underage driver who was drinking.
- In 2016, roughly 28 percent of all traffic-related fatalities were alcohol-related.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal roadway crashes involving people between the ages of 16 and 20 increased by 3.6 percent in 2015. It’s estimated that a third of these crashes involved alcohol.
Driving Safety Tips for Young Adults
Young adults, especially teens, are more likely to binge drink than other age groups when they drink alcohol. It’s one of the reasons why the drunk driving fatality rate for young adults is so much higher. The following are a few safety tips that you should keep in mind as a young adult driver who may drink on occasion:
- Always have a designated driver – If you plan on going out with friends, make sure that you have a designated driver amidst your group. Never drive somewhere where you know you will be drinking alcohol if you don’t have a designated driver in your group.
- Leave your car behind if you’ve been drinking – If you’ve driven somewhere and you end up having a few drinks, don’t attempt to drive back. Ask someone who hasn’t been drinking for a ride or leave your car behind and take a cab home. You can always return for your car the next day. Even if you get a parking ticket, that’s much preferable to getting a DUI or getting into an accident.
- Take a cab or rideshare – If you know you’re going to have a few drinks and you don’t have a designated driver, take a cab or a rideshare instead.
- Offer to drive if you are sober – If you see that your friend has been drinking and they drove, offer to drive if you’re sober. Riding with someone who is drinking and driving is just as dangerous as if you were driving while under the influence yourself.
There’s no logical reason to risk getting a DUI or getting into an accident because you were drinking and driving, so be sure to keep these safety tips in mind. If you were arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, call DUI attorneys Artz & Sturm today for a private consultation.
