Make it a safe and sober summer for teen drivers
Wisconsin teens and alcohol is a mixed news topic. The good news is, the percent of high schoolers who drink alcohol, has dropped over the last decade. The bad news is, Wisconsin ranks in the top 10 states, for the percent of high schoolers who drank alcohol recently and fourth for percent of high schoolers who ever drank alcohol.
“When you combine teens, alcohol and driving, it becomes a deadly and costly problem,” said Wisconsin State Patrol superintendent Anthony Burrell. “This summer, we’re asking parents to remind their teens that it is illegal to drink under the age of 21, and it is illegal and deadly, to drink and drive.”
Just like any driver, a driver under age 21, can be charged with drunk driving, if they’re above the legal limit or show signs of alcohol impairment. In addition, with Wisconsin’s Absolute Sobriety “Not a Drop” Law [346.63 (2m)], drivers under age 21, face fines and other penalties for any blood alcohol level below 0.08.
Data shows that drinking any amount of alcohol before driving, increases crash risk among teen drivers, as compared with older drivers. Teen drivers have a much higher risk for being involved in a crash than older drivers at the same blood alcohol concentration (BAC), even at BAC levels below the legal limit for adults.
Teens are more likely than anyone else to be killed in an alcohol-related crash. Even though the minimum legal drinking age in every state is 21, data shows 16 percent of 15 to 18-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2018, had alcohol.
Teens who escape physical harm for themselves or others, may face additional costs, including the loss of their driver’s license and dozens of other expenses, including attorney fees, court costs, other fines and insurance rate increases. Unique consequences to teens include loss of academic eligibility, college acceptance and scholarship awards.
“In Wisconsin, our goal is zero,” said Burrell. “Zero teens drinking and driving, and zero lives preventable deaths on Wisconsin roads. Let’s make this a safe and sober summer.”
