December 4, 2001

Drunk And Drugged Driving Awareness Month

BINGHAMTON, NY - Many teenagers think of alcohol use as a "rite of passage" to adulthood. But, this is a dangerous view, one that is reinforced by peer pressure and availability. Despite efforts to educate young people about the dangers of alcohol use, it is a view, which persists and affects the health and safety of those who drink, and also endangers those who are around them.

December is "Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month," when we are reminded that alcohol-related crashes are one of the leading causes of death for young persons. While just five percent of all drivers in New York State are aged 16 to 20, they are involved in 11 percent of all alcohol-related fatalities.

"In Broome County, 14 percent of the 16 to 20 age groups have been involved in a fatal or personal injury crash that was alcohol related" according to Gordon Sullivan, Broome County Traffic Safety Coordinator.

Alcohol is the most frequently abused substance among young people. According to a 1996 survey of New York State college students, about 85 percent had consumed alcohol during their lifetime.

"Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that works first on the part of the brain that controls inhibitions. That means that drinking alcohol or being around those who are drinking always involves the risk of erratic and dangerous behavior," said Mr. Sullivan.

"A person does not have to be an alcoholic to have problems with alcohol. Even a single drink begins to impair judgement, reaction time and coordination," said Mr. Sullivan.

"The problems caused by alcohol are made worse by the myths that surround its use," Mr. Sullivan said. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that beer is less dangerous than other forms of alcohol. A can of beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. Wine coolers and other pre-mixed alcoholic beverages can also be deceptive because they taste like soft drinks, but have at least as much alcohol as beer".

Another myth is that one drink does not affect driving. A single drink can affect anyone's driving ability, but it's particularly dangerous for young people who are less experienced not only in driving, but also in drinking. Even a small amount of alcohol will cause a driver to be more careless, more easily distracted and have slower responses.

Under New York State's "Zero Tolerance" law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drink any amount of alcohol and operate a motor vehicle.

Penalties for a first offense are a six-month license suspension, a $125 civil penalty, and an additional $100 charge when your license is returned. The penalty for a second offense is revocation of your driver's license for at least one year. Those charged with driving while under the influence of greater amounts of alcohol face penalties, which are even tougher, including possible jail terms.

Parents can help their children resist peer pressure to drink by talking to them about the hazards. Talking with a child at a young age is especially important if there is a family history of alcoholism, because problem drinking tends to run in families.

It is also helpful for parents to be role models for healthful drinking behavior. Children are less likely to drink or have problems with alcohol when their parents don't drink or drink only moderately. Experts say that having more than two drinks a day for a man and one drink a day for a woman is a health risk.

For more information call Gordon Sullivan at the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2807.

Older Press Releases are online for archival purposes only. If you need updated information regarding items contained in these press releases please contact the Broome County Executive's office. Thank you.