For some people, knowing how to drive is seen as a milestone in life. Others meanwhile consider alcohol consumption as a sign of maturity and adulthood. The two of them mixed, though, is never a good idea and can lead to serious consequences.
Drunk driving by teenagers is a talked-about issue but sometimes forgotten by those who most need to know about it. There are a few things teenagers need to know when it comes to driving under the influence.
Legal help
If you or someone you know ends up being a victim of a car accident, there are a few important things you need to do. One of those is acquiring the assistance of a car accident lawyer. For those living in and around Birmingham, Alabama, experienced attorney Stephen Thompson is often the first choice.
Car accidents are serious and can lead to life-threatening injuries so seeking proper compensation is a good step. Having a lawyer is great since he will be there to assist you in every step of the case and even if you are just asking some questions, he can provide an expert legal opinion for free.
Loss of control of your body and senses
When under the influence of alcohol, you start losing some control over your senses and the actions of your body. Your thought process becomes cloudy, which impairs your thinking and ability to make smart decisions. You lose control over impulses. You lose coordination between your body parts. You can even pass out from too much alcohol.
All of this combines for a worst-case scenario when you are behind the wheel of the car. You can no longer think straight and act properly, which is never an ideal situation when driving and can lead to severe accidents.
Prone to crashes
One of the worst-case scenarios when driving under the influence are crashes. While anyone driving under the influence is not good for any driver, teenage drivers are more susceptible to be involved in crashes.
Teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than experienced drivers. In 2010, 1 in 5 teen drivers involved in fatal car crashes had some alcohol in their system. Car accidents involving drunk teenage drivers do happen and can lead to lost lives.
Peer pressure can play a part
Most teenagers are at a point in their lives where they begin to enter young adulthood. This new chapter can bring about new and different experiences for them. Yet sadly, one of those experiences is peer pressure, especially when it comes to drinking alcohol.
If you are in a situation where you are being pressured to drink when you know you are driving, learn to say no and realize that your safety is more important. Talk to your friends about not pressuring one another to drink when driving is involved.
Look to someone for guidance
Teenagers are still young and are growing up in a world where new information is brought to them at a rapid pace. It is ok not to know everything and ask for help. Your parents or a trusted guardian are there to help you in confusing situations.
Look to them for guidance if need be and understand that they are there to make sure you do not get hurt. If you can, share your experiences with them so that they can help you to know what the proper thing needs to be done.