Drinking in college is not fun and games
Despite the fact that drinking is illegal under age 21, it is impossible ignore the campus talk about the next big party. Whether it is a fraternity, sorority, or club party, you can bet that students are finding a way to consume alcohol. Of greater concern is the decision to drink and drive.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that about 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die due to alcohol-related car accidents. An additional 599,000 students are injured due to drinking and driving. As a result, both on-campus and off-campus law enforcement agencies are cracking down on drunk driving.
Although initial DUI convictions are considered misdemeanors, the consequences are extremely harsh. A person’s first DUI conviction in Georgia can result in the following penalties:
- $1,000 in fines
- Up to 12 months of imprisonment
- 40 hours of community service
- Completion of a Risk Reduction Program
- Mandatory drug / alcohol treatment
- 12 months of probation
- Driver's license suspension
- Extreme increase in insurance rates to the point where insurance is simply unaffordable.
Additionally, a DUI conviction can leave a student disqualified from financial aid, scholarships, grants, and more. Students who participate in athletic teams may also be suspended for the duration of the season. So, don’t be a statistic.
1. Call a taxi or Uber
- In most college towns, taxis, cabs and Ubers are available at any given time throughout the night, especially in downtown areas. If you and your friends have been drinking, take a taxi and pick up your vehicles the next day when all of you are sober and in the proper condition to drive. Even better, make this arrangement before you begin to drink.
2. Call a friend/family member.
- If you have not prepared driving arrangements after a night of drinking, call a friend or family member who lives in the area. Your friend/family member may be much happier that you decided to ask for a ride instead of endangering yourself by driving while impaired.
4. Choose a designated driver.
- If you plan to attend a party or go downtown with a group of friends, select a person who will abstain from drinking for the night. Make sure this person is the only one with the keys to the vehicle to avoid any drunken mistakes.
If you are arrested in Marietta GA or the Atlanta Metro Area, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to immediately help you assess your risks. Decisions you make while under arrest and while still under the influence can impact you for the rest of your life. The Law Offices of Kenneth R. Croy and Associates has 35 years of experience both prosecuting and defending the rights of the accused in Georgia. If you need an experienced Cobb County DUI attorney call 770-422-0574. All initial phone consultations are free.
