Teens More Likely To DUI On New Year's Eve

According to a survey conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions, an overwhelming majority of nearly 2,300 teens surveyed — 94 percent — said they would stop driving under the influence of alcohol if asked by a passenger. Ninety percent of teens would stop driving under the influence of marijuana if asked by a passenger.

 

The survey of almost 2,300 students in 11th and 12th grades asked them about how they perceived various holidays and events in terms of dangerous days to drive. Here are the results.

 

• New Year's Eve: 49 percent view it as a very dangerous or extremely dangerous day to drive; 10 percent of teen say they have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol on this night.
• Fourth of July: 29 percent say Independence Day is very dangerous or extremely dangerous to drive; 8 percent say they have driven under the influence that day.
• Prom night: 20 percent consider prom night to be very dangerous or extremely dangerous; 6 percent say they have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol on prom night.
• Of the teens surveyed, 6 percent said they have driven under the influence after homecoming, and, separately, high school football games. Four percent admit driving under the influence after graduation or a post-graduation party.

"New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate both the past year and the possibilities of the year to come, yet far too often poor decisions by teens result in tragic injuries and deaths," said Stephen Wallace, senior adviser for policy, research and education at SADD. "To avoid a fatal start to the New Year, teen passengers need to use their voices if they have concerns about their friends' behaviors. They will be heard."

Prior to New Year's Eve, parents need to have a conversation with their teen drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and fatigue as well as how to be a good driver and a good passenger," said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual and managing director of global safety. "Teens also need to be prepared for dangerous behaviors of other drivers who will be impaired on New Year's Eve."