How Many High School Students Die From Drunk Driving?
How Many High School Students Die From Drunk Driving?
The number of high school students who die from drunk driving is a growing concern. These young drivers pose a threat to everyone on the road. Aside from the death toll, these crashes often result in devastating injuries to their victims. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure this does not happen to you or a loved one.
(Looking for a Car Accident Lawyer? Contact us Today! Click here: crane truck accident Lawyers)
One of the most important things you can do to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming a victim of an alcohol-related car crash is to take a breathalyzer test. This will give you an idea of how drunk you are and can help you decide whether or not to get behind the wheel. You can also opt for a saliva test, which can reveal if you have been using drugs.
While drinking and driving may be common for teens, the actual number of people who die from drunk driving is still relatively small. The CDC reported that more than 1.1 people for every 100,000 Americans under the age of 21 were killed in drunk driving incidents in 2019. Several studies are showing that young teens who are not under adult supervision after school tend to have higher rates of alcohol and drug use.
In the United States, drunk driving is illegal in all 50 states. However, the number of drivers under the influence has decreased by almost 50% in the last decade. Nevertheless, the CDC estimates that 4,000 teenagers die each year in motor vehicle accidents due to drinking and driving.
The NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has tracked these types of crashes since 1982. They have found that the most dangerous type of drunk driving is not drinking but texting while driving. Approximately 11 teens die each day in texting-related crashes, which makes this an even worse risk than drunk driving.
Alcohol and other substances are commonly cited as being the reason for many of these accidents, although there are other causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers are involved in more distracted driving crashes than those who are not impaired by alcohol. Among the most notable factors affecting teen drivers are poor driver behavior, such as texting while driving and driving while distracted.
Although there are no hard statistics to compare the numbers of teen drunk drivers and the number of texts while driving, one study shows that the total number of high school students who died in motor vehicle accidents was a staggering 2,228. Most of these crashes occurred during the weekend and in the early morning hours.
Even though these types of accidents are the deadliest for high school students, there are many ways to prevent them from happening to you or a loved one. If you are unable to drive, call a friend to drive you to your destination. Or, you can opt for rideshare services, such as Uber or Lyft.