Car accidents remain the number one cause of death for teenagers, and this is never truer than during the summer months. The coveted freedom teenagers enjoy during the summer months also leads to poor decision-making that can result in drunken teens behind the wheel. Although teens are not legally able to buy alcohol, the freedom of summer generally provides opportunities for teens to drink. Teenage drunk driving is the main reason why summer is referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teens.
Summer is a time of experimentation for many teenagers, and that experimenting often includes alcohol and drugs. Teenagers find themselves in trouble more with the law during summer months than at any other time of the year. Free time, disposable income from summer jobs, and boredom form a dangerous mixture for teens. Teens also use summer to test new boundaries as they reach different stages in their lives. The summer after high school can be a dangerous time because kids want to experiment and “prove themselves” before heading off to college. Adversely, the summer after the first year of college leads to teens showing off to their friends back home about how much they drank or what drugs they experimented with while away at college.
Sobering Statistics on Summer Traffic Fatalities
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are an average of 36 fatalities every single day as a result of drunk driving. That number increases dramatically during certain times of the year including Christmas, New Years, and of course the roughly 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. NHTSA’s research indicates there are nearly twice as many deaths from car accidents during the three summer months than during the rest of the year combined. The two primary reasons for this staggering statistic is: 1) there are more vehicles on the road during the summer months; and 2) the number of alcohol-impaired drivers increases significantly during the summer months.
What is the Law for Underage Drunk Drivers?
In Missouri, the legal limit for people under 21 is .02%, which is significantly lower than the 0.08% for adults. One drink could put someone under the age of 21 over the legal limit to drive. During summer months police throughout the St. Louis area are vigilant when looking for underage drunk drivers. This is especially true in areas that are already aggressive on DWI enforcement, especially Town & Country, Maryland Heights, and St. Charles.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DWI in the St. Louis area, contact DWI defense attorney Jason Korner today for a free consultation. Mr. Korner is happy to answer all of your questions regarding the court process and challenging any possible pending driver’s license suspension. Call Mr. Korner at 314-409-2659 or click here to fill out an information form and Mr. Korner will call you to answer your questions.