Underage
Drinking and
Driving
Sajan Amin
North Carolina School of Science and
Mathematics
The Problem…

An underage person doesn't realistically
consider the consequences of his or her
drinking when getting behind the wheel.
Teenagers have this inner sense of invincibility.
They are under the impression that they are
better, smarter, and more mature then they
really are. This is a psychological phase that
most teenagers go through, but it is important
to realize it before you do anything you’ll
regret.

Some kids are peer pressured into driving
when the entire party is intoxicated. This peer
pressure causes drivers to mistakenly
‘minimize’ the effect alcohol has on their driving
abilities and the results are often lethal.
The effects of
alcohol
Take a moment to watch the animation. If this
is what alcohol does to your handwriting what
will it do to your driving?
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/images/SafetyAd2.gif
Statistics

Every 22 minutes someone dies
in an alcohol-related motor
vehicle accident.

In a family of five, the chance
that someone in the family will
find themselves in an alcoholrelated motor vehicle crash in
their lifetime, is 200%.

During the past month (30
days), 26.4% of underage
persons (ages 12-20) used
alcohol, and binge drinking
among the same age group was
17.4%.
http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/data/05data.html#2005data-drugs
Ethics
Let’s see what you have at stake here
IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE

Your parents will be
disappointed.

Your family and self reputation
diminishes

Your chances at a job, school, or
other opportunities are
significantly reduced.


You have the possibility of jail
time along with the infractions on
your permanent record. You
can’t get rid of these recorded
violations. They stick with you
throughout your life.
You approach the possibility of
getting caught, hospitalization,
and early death

You are endangering yourself
along with others

Your bodily organs are
damaged. Specifically brain and
liver.

Alcoholism promotes violence
and rugged behavior in the
neighborhood and community
Know the Law
(may vary state to state)
Possession/Consumption/Internal Possession

A Minor in Possession (MIP) is the most common charge in the state when
it comes to underage drinking. Any teen found with alcohol, or suspected of
consuming it will be charged with MIP. Possession or consumption of
alcohol by a minor is only allowed if it happens on private property, with the
property owner’s consent, and under direct supervision of that minor’s
parent or guardian. There are strict punishments for this charge.

First offense: Fine up to $250, up to 24 hours community service, and a
license revocation for 3 months if the minor fails to follow court
ordered instructions Second offense: Fine up to $500, up to 24 hours
community service, mandatory alcohol class, and a license revocation for 6
months Third Offense or More: 3-12 months imprisonment and/or $250$1000 fine (both determined by court), mandatory alcohol class, and a
license revocation for one (1) year
Know the Law
(may vary state to state)
Loss of Driving Privileges

“Underage Drinking and Driving (UDD) is the charge given to any driver
younger than 21-years-old with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
between .02 and .05 percent. Teen drivers with a BAC greater than .05
percent can face DUI/DWAI charges just like an adult. A first time UDD
conviction is a Class A driving infraction which generally results in a fine
up to $100 and community service. A second UDD becomes a criminal
charge.” Drivers will also be subject to the following administrative
penalties:

First Offense: Results in automatic revocation of license for 3
months Second Offense: Results in automatic revocation of license
for 6 months Third Offense: Results in automatic revocation of license
for one (1) year
Tricky Scenario #1
Scenario
 You are a 17 year-old adolescent and five of your
friends want to have a small get-together at your
home. You convinced your dad that there won’t be
too much harm in supplying some alcohol for you
and your friends as long as he can monitor what’s
happening under his roof. He makes sure that when
your friends drive home they seem okay. Do you
think this is okay for the safety of your friends?
Tricky Scenario #1 Answer
Answer
 A: Your friends could all be cited for a Minor in Possession
(MIP) infraction. Which could lead to your dad being charged
with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a felony. Also, if
any of your friends were to be caught on the way home, they will
be faced with legal charges. Your dad will be charged with
aiding and abetting and the driver will be charged for underage
drinking and driving (UDD). There is a 0 tolerance for anyone
under 21. There is a potential risk of a collision or death.
 As a young adult you should realize the potential results and
stop them. Also, have a moral obligation to keep your friends
safe.
Tricky Scenario #2
Scenario

Position yourself in a situation where you are surrounded by 6 friends
all older than yourself by a year or two. You all decide to hang out at
your house because your parents are away for the night. You sneak into
their alcohol stash and take unnoticeable amounts. Eventually you are
all intoxicated, some more than others. Everyone is famished and
decided to designate a driver to drive to McDonalds. You feel as if you
are the most capable, but run into the problem of whether or not to
volunteer. Either you can risk getting caught and go get the food
because you are the least intoxicated OR you can sit quiet and let your
friend who is more intoxicated than you go and risk potentially getting
caught or causing a wreck. What do you do?

Note: you will be made fun of if you try to stop anyone from going.
Tricky Scenario #2 Answer
Answer
 A: Neither there is always a safer option in these cases. You
restrain anyone from going even if it renders you uncool. Would
you rather be safe or risk more than you already have by
drinking and driving.
 If you were in the position where you got caught for drinking at
home you would be in less of a mess than if you got caught
drunk and driving.
 If you or another friend leave to get food you run the risk of
getting caught for UDD, a police record, your parents alerted,
and/or possibly a wreck. Also, the members of the community
feel unsafe in the presence of such activities.
Benefits of Drinking and
Driving!
NONE.
http://www.carinsurancecalculatoronline.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/05/drinking-and-driving-300x230.png
How to Curb Underage
Drinking and Driving

The first step in curbing underage drinking is realizing what you’re about
to do.

Ask yourself should I really risk the lives of myself and others?

Think of the consequences and benefits (previous slide).

If you don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol yet still have a
drinking problem, talk to a counselor or your parents. Let’s be real here
would your parents be more mad if you were caught drinking than if you
told them you have a problem in the first place. Think it through.

Note: It doesn’t make you cool to drink and drive.
Conclusion

Today, alcohol is widely available and
aggressively promoted throughout society.
Alcohol has been seen as a normal part of
growing up in the eyes of some. Yet,
underage drinking is dangerous, not only for
the drinker but also for the community as a
whole. We can see the proof in the number
of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes,
homicides, suicides, and other injuries.

People who begin drinking and driving run
the risk of developing serious alcohol
problems, such as alcoholism and also other
greater risks mentioned in this presentation.
Bibliography

http://sadd.org/stats.htm

http://speaknowcolorado.org/fact
-zone/know-the-law/

http://www.thefastertimes.com/p
arentingupdate/2010/01/20/punc
turing-the-myth-of-teenageinvincibility/

http://www.firsteagle.com/tdd.ht
m
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