IMPAIRED DRIVING
Alcohol and drug-impaired driving continue to put college students at risk — but informed choices and peer support can save lives.
WHY IT MATTERS
Impaired driving continues to be a serious safety issue for young adults. Each year, an estimated 2.7 million college students ages 18–24 drive under the influence of alcohol (1), contributing to a preventable problem that claims lives every day. In 2022, an alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurred every 39 minutes (2), and drivers ages 21–24 accounted for 12% of all drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 or higher involved in fatal crashes (3). Drug-impaired driving is also on the rise, with drugs detected in 45% of fatally injured drivers tested between 2019 and 2021 (4). After alcohol, marijuana is the most commonly found drug in fatal crashes (5). Beyond the risk of serious injury or death, impaired driving can carry significant financial consequences.
Drive Sober. Arrive Alive.
SAFETY TIPS
- Plan ahead and always use a designated sober driver.
- Never ride with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.
- Remember: coffee, food, or cold showers do not sober someone up — only time does.
- Count drinks, not “how drunk” someone appears. Many people don’t show obvious signs of impairment until well past the legal limit.
- Avoid drinking games and pace yourself if consuming alcohol.
- Speak up if a friend is about to drive impaired — offer a ride, take the keys, or help them call for transportation.
- Prescription medications, marijuana, and other drugs can impair reaction time, judgment, and coordination even if they are legally obtained.
One Ride Can Change Everything.
SOURCES
- Hingson et al., 2009. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
- NHTSA, Drunk Driving : https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
- NHTSA FARS Data, 2022
- GHSA, Drug Impaired Driving, https://www.ghsa.org/issues/drug-impaired-driving
- GHSA, Drug Impaired Driving, Marijuana and Opioids Raise Critical Issues for States. May 2018.
