ABC Director Helps Release New National Report on College Age Impaired Driving

Washington, D.C./Sacramento, CA – ABC Director Eric Hirata joined The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the release of a new national report highlighting the increased risk for college-age students as it relates to alcohol and drug-impaired driving. The report was released on December 16 on the California SADD Facebook page California SADD. The report highlights that alcohol and drug use has increased on college campuses in recent years, showing a dramatic increase in those 18-24 in age who admit to consuming drugs, alcohol, or both and then get behind the wheel.

With funding from the NHTSA, SADD conducted an in-depth review of the status of impaired driving on college campuses and communities across the country. Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows year-over-year increases in alcohol and drug driving crashes among drivers 18-24 years in age.

“This report shows the need to continue efforts to reduce underage drinking and do everything possible to prevent impaired driving,” said ABC Director Eric Hirata.

SADD released the report virtually in Sacramento with ABC, OTS, SADD student leaders and other national experts in roadway safety. December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month and includes the Law Enforcement Mobilization, Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over, led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. SADD supports this campaign.

The report interviewed college students across the country and inquired into their perception of impaired driving. The report highlights the low risk that students associate with impaired driving, especially drug driving, as it relates to marijuana use.

The report lists several recommendations from SADD for residential, community, and trade school campuses to increase their education and enforcement efforts to curb this increase in college-aged impaired driving. Specifically, SADD recommends infusing impaired driving prevention education into the patchwork of alcohol education that some campuses provide.

“Impaired driving is the silent health public crises of our time,” said Rick Birt, President, and CEO of SADD. “For four decades, SADD and other organizations have worked to lower the stats. While we’ve made progress, our National Report shows the remarkable work still left to be done with young adults ages 18-24.”

The NHTSA provided funding for the College-Impaired Driving National Report.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

Follow ABC on Twitter
Follow ABC on Facebook