Major Risks & Problems

Why is it an Issue?

Accidents from alcohol impaired driving are described as the leading cause of injury and death among college students

 

In 2001 there were over 1700 alcohol related deaths among U.S. college students and 78% were from alcohol impaired traffic crashes

How Often Does it Happen?

A study taken of over 10,000 college students found about 1 in 3 regular drivers had driven after drinking and 1 in 4 had ridden with someone who is drunk

 

 

How Alcohol Impairs Driving

Driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of death and injury among young adults. Alcohol slows reaction time, reduces coordination, and affects judgement, making even short drives unsafe. Someone dies every 52 minutes from a drunk-driving crash. On college campuses these numbers are even higher due to frequent parties and easy access to alcohol. The danger increases when alcohol is combined with other substances like marijuana or nicotine which makes it harder for drivers to stay alert. Many students underestimate how even a small amount of alcohol can make it impossible to react quickly on the road. The result can be devastating not just for the driver, but for passengers, friends, and innocent people nearby.

Using alcohol alone makes the crash risk 16X higher

Using alcohol and marijuana combined makes the crash risk 25X higher