It seems that almost everyday there is a news story in the Atlanta and Georgia media involving the tragic death of a young person in a traffic accident. Many times alcohol is involved.
\nFatal car wrecks involving alcohol impaired young drivers are a major concern, especially around the Christmas and New Years holidays. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), recently released a study involving alcohol related deaths from crashes involving 21-24 year old drivers. The findings are disturbing.
\nThe study was based upon data from the years 2003 trough 2007. Data from 2008 is not yet available. Statistics show that drivers 21-24 years-old consistently have the highest level of involvement in alcohol impaired driving fatalities. In 2007, 35% of 21-24 year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes were impaired by alcohol. This is based upon a blood alcohol level of .08 + grams per deciliter which is the level at which a driver is presumed to be impaired.
\nDrivers in the 21 to 24 year-old group were the most frequently involved age group in alcohol related crashes.
\nWhile alcohol impaired driving is always a major concern, there are certain times of the year when the problem is more prevalent. The percentage of impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes during the last two weeks of December increases among all age groups. But, the percentage among 21-24 year-olds is the highest, just as it is throughout the year. In crashes involving the 21-24 year-old group during the last two weeks of December, almost 4 fatalities out of ten resulted from alcohol impaired driving crashes.
\nIn Georgia, in 2007, there were 263 fatality crashes reported involving the 21-24 year-old group. Of these, 72 involved were alcohol impairment.<\/p>\n