Drunk driving poses grave dangers to teenagers. The CDC reports that about 20% of teen drivers (16-19) in fatal accidents had alcohol in their systems. Motorcycle drivers of the same age saw the highest fatal accident rates involving alcohol at 19%. Teens are 1.5 times likelier to suffer fatal crashes with blood alcohol content (BAC) at 0.08% or higher. However, teen fatalities from impaired driving have fallen 44% in the last two decades.
In 2016, weekend accidents constituted 31% of teen drunk driving incidents, with males making up 79% of young drivers involved. In 2017, those aged 16 to 20 accounted for 36% of reported BAC ≥ .01 cases and 27% of BAC ≥ .08 cases. Prom season sees a significant rise in such incidents. Worryingly, in 2019, it was found that a vast majority of young drivers who had been drinking did not wear seatbelts: 25%, 40%, 12%, 7%, 85%, 70%, and 90% respectively.
17% of teens’ car crashes involved another person who had been drinking, while 2018 saw a 14% decrease in youth fatalities due to impaired judgment. Nonetheless, the rate is still alarmingly high. Parents have a crucial role in prevention. By setting rules and monitoring activities, they can significantly lower the likelihood of their child driving drunk.
Drunk Driving Teen Statistics Overview
Teenagers are 1.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash when their blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving for teenagers. It highlights the fact that even a small amount of alcohol can significantly increase the risk of a fatal car crash for teenagers. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing the risks of drunk driving for teenagers, as it emphasizes the need for caution and responsible decision-making when it comes to drinking and driving.
In 2016, 31% of teen drunk driving related accidents occurred on weekends.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of teen drunk driving on weekends. It highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol, especially among teenagers. It also serves as a warning to parents to be extra vigilant in monitoring their teens’ activities on weekends and to ensure that they are not engaging in any activities that could put them in danger.
Males represent about 79% of young drivers involved in fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the disproportionate risk that young male drivers face when it comes to fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes. It highlights the need for greater awareness and education around the dangers of drunk driving, particularly among young males. It also serves as a call to action for parents, educators, and policy makers to take steps to reduce the number of young male drivers engaging in this dangerous behavior.
In 2017, 16- to 20-year-olds accounted for more than one-third (36%) of drivers involved in fatal crashes who had a reported Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) ≥.01 and 27% when the reported BAC was ≥.08.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving among teens. It highlights the fact that a significant portion of fatal crashes involve young drivers with a BAC of .01 or higher, and an even higher percentage with a BAC of .08 or higher. This is a sobering statistic that should serve as a warning to teens and their parents about the risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
About 25% of fatal car accidents involving teen drunk drivers happen between the hours of 9 PM and midnight.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving among teens, particularly during the late evening hours. It highlights the need for parents and guardians to be aware of their teens’ whereabouts and activities during this time, as well as the importance of educating teens on the risks of driving while intoxicated.
Teenagers with higher gradepoint averages (GPAs) are less likely to drink and drive or ride with a drunk driver.
This statistic is a powerful reminder of the importance of academic success in helping to prevent drunk driving among teenagers. It suggests that teens with higher GPAs are more likely to make responsible decisions when it comes to drinking and driving, and that academic achievement can be a powerful tool in reducing the risk of drunk driving among teens. This is an important point to consider when discussing the issue of drunk driving among teenagers, as it highlights the potential of education in helping to reduce the risk of drunk driving.
More than 40% of teens admit to having used alcohol or drugs before driving at least once in the past year.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of drunk driving among teens. It highlights the need for greater awareness and education about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It also serves as a call to action for parents, educators, and other adults to take steps to ensure that teens understand the risks associated with driving while impaired.
In 2016, nearly 20% of high school students reported riding in a vehicle with someone who had been drinking alcohol in the past month.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of drunk driving among teens. It highlights the fact that, despite the dangers, many teens are still willing to get into a car with someone who has been drinking. This is a troubling trend that needs to be addressed in order to keep teens safe.
Binge drinkers are more likely to drink and drive than non-binge drinkers, with 85% of teen drinking and driving cases involving binge drinking.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of binge drinking among teens. It highlights the fact that the majority of teen drinking and driving cases involve binge drinking, which can have serious consequences. This statistic serves as a warning to teens and parents alike that binge drinking can lead to dangerous and potentially deadly decisions, such as driving while under the influence.
In a 2017 survey, 12% of male high schoolers and 7% of female high schoolers admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of drunk driving among teenagers. It highlights the fact that, despite the dangers, a significant portion of high schoolers are still willing to take the risk and get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. This alarming statistic should serve as a wake-up call to parents, educators, and lawmakers to take action and ensure that teens are aware of the risks associated with drunk driving.
In 2019, over 70% of drivers aged between 15 and 20 years involved in fatal crashes, who had been drinking, were not wearing a seatbelt.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving among teens. It highlights the fact that not only are teens more likely to be involved in fatal crashes when drinking, but they are also more likely to not take the necessary safety precautions, such as wearing a seatbelt. This is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed in order to reduce the number of teen fatalities due to drunk driving.
In 2019, 9 out of 10 young drivers involved in fatal crashes with BAC levels of 0.08% or higher were unbuckled.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving, particularly among young drivers. It highlights the fact that even when young drivers are sober, they are still at risk of fatal crashes if they are not buckled up. This is a sobering reminder that even when young drivers are not under the influence, they should still take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Alcohol use by someone other than the driver is a factor in about 17% of teen car crashes.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing teens to drive after consuming alcohol. It highlights the fact that even if the driver is sober, the presence of alcohol in the car can still lead to a crash. This statistic serves as a warning to parents and teens alike that drinking and driving is not the only risk factor when it comes to teen car crashes.
In 2018, alcohol-impaired fatalities among youth (ages 0-20) decreased by 1.7% from the previous year.
This statistic is a beacon of hope in the fight against drunk driving among teens. It shows that the efforts to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired fatalities among youth are having a positive effect, and that progress is being made. It is a reminder that, with continued dedication and hard work, we can make a difference in the lives of our young people.
Teenagers with parents who set clear rules and monitor their activities are 50% less likely to be involved in a crash involving alcohol.
This statistic is a powerful reminder of the importance of parental involvement in the lives of teenagers. It highlights the fact that when parents set clear rules and monitor their children’s activities, they are significantly less likely to be involved in a crash involving alcohol. This is a crucial insight for parents, as it shows that their involvement can have a real and tangible impact on their children’s safety.
Conclusion
The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the prevalence of drunk driving among teenagers and the dangers associated with it. Despite a 44% decrease in teen driver fatalities due to alcohol-impaired driving over the last 20 years, there is still much work to be done. Teenagers are 1.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash when their blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher, and males represent about 79% of young drivers involved in fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes.
Parents can play an important role by setting clear rules for their teens and monitoring their activities; research shows that doing so reduces teenage involvement in crashes involving alcohol by 50%. It’s essential that we continue working together as parents, educators, law enforcement officers, legislators, health care providers and community members to reduce underage drinking rates even further—and ultimately save lives on our roads today and tomorrow.
References
0. – https://www.teendriversource.org
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2. – https://www.pubs.niaaa.nih.gov
3. – https://www.samhsa.gov
4. – https://www.thenationshealth.org
5. – https://www.drugabuse.gov
6. – https://www.nhtsa.gov
7. – https://www.safewise.com
8. – https://www.bactrack.com
9. – https://www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
10. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
11. – https://www.responsibility.org
12. – https://www.cdc.gov
