10 DWI Statistics Every College Student Needs to Know

As a college student, it’s likely you’ve been made aware of the drinking that happens on and off college campuses. Whether you choose to drink or not, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the risks of DWI (driving while intoxicated) and the potential consequences involved.

At Kitchin Law Firm, we stand by our commitment to equip students with relevant information to help keep them safe and more informed during their years in college.

We’re also here when life’s unexpected moments happen. If you’ve been charged with DWI and are looking for a qualified DWI attorney, you can contact Kitchin Law Firm today.

Avoiding Risks with DWIs

Drinking and driving poses a greater risk beyond getting points on your driver’s license or having your license suspended. When you make the choice to get behind the wheel of a car after you’ve been drinking, you’re choosing to put your life AND the lives of others at serious risk.

Drunk driving is the number one cause of fatalities on our roads across the United States. And, until it hits directly at home, it can be a tough statistic to try and grasp or understand.

Get the Facts According to MADD

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been a voice advocating for change since 1980.

Inspired by MADD, here are 10 DWI statistics we believe every college student should know:

1. An average drunk driver has driven drunk over 80 times before first arrest.
2. About a quarter of car crashes with teens involve an underage drinking driver. Ninety-five percent of the 14 million people who are alcohol dependent began drinking before the legal age of 21.
3. Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
4. On average, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
5. Every day in America, another 29 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. That’s one person every 50 minutes.
6. Drunk driving costs each adult in the united states over $500 per year.
7. Only time will sober a person up. Drinking strong coffee, exercising or taking a cold shower will not help.
8. The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour.
9. A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which contain the same amount of alcohol.
10. Every day about 800 people are injured in a drunk driving crash.

Sometimes it takes knowing the reality of a situation to help shape you in your decision making. These statistics aren’t meant to instill fear, but rather prepare you to make the best possible decisions if and when you find yourself in a situation where drunk driving is involved.

Visit MADD for more statistics and information on the risks and implications of drunk driving.

A Kansas City DWI Attorney You Can Trust

If you or someone you know has been arrested for DWI, your next step is to find a highly experienced and reputable DWI attorney that will fight to protect your rights and your future.

For a DWI attorney you can trust, contact Kitchin Law Firm today.