Study Finds that More Teens Driving Under the Influence During Summer Months

With proms, graduations and summer parties already kicked off, there are ample opportunities for teens to drink and drive, and a new study from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Students Against Destructive Decisions indicates there are more teens driving under the influence during these next few summer months than you may think.

This new study has found that 23 percent of teen drivers admit to driving while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or another drug. Even worse, these same teens feel they are placing themselves and others in no real danger. The study established that 40 percent of teens who admit to driving under the influence of alcohol and 75 percent of teens who have operated a car under the influence of marijuana believe that their actions were either improved by the use of drugs or alcohol or had no impact on their ability to operate a vehicle safely.

The study found that one in ten teens, or 11 percent, drives under the influence of alcohol during the summer. The next few months are sprinkled with a series of celebratory events that often persuade teens to consume alcohol or use marijuana and other drugs. The study concluded that during prom and graduation season, Fourth of July and the weeks before school restarts in the fall, roughly 1.4 million teens could be driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

While teens may think alcohol, marijuana and other drugs do not affect their ability to drive safely, these substances have been proven to negatively affect drivers of any age. Teen drivers are not the only ones at risk when they get behind the wheel drunk. Their passengers and other motorists sharing the roadway are also at risk of sustaining serious injuries and even death when they choose to drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

The summer months obviously give teens much more free time and less supervision, and as a result, they are likely to use alcohol or illegal substances placing them at greater risk of becoming involved in an accident. As a parent, it is very important to talk to your teen about the significance of safe driving practices, the effects of drugs and alcohol and the risks of driving under the influence. One honest conversation with your teen driver could make all the difference.

If you or your child has been involved in a car accident caused by an intoxicated teen driver in Inverness, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Homosassa or any surrounding area, you must be informed of your rights. A Citrus County Auto Accident Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can make sure you receive the information you need. For a free consultation, please contact us today online or call 352-726-0078.