By Avery Delgadillo
When we enroll in college, we start to learn what’s expected of us – academically and socially. Classes are fast pace with extensive reading and no one is there to remind you when assignments are due or to hand hold you through homework. Going to college means you have officially begun the process of transforming into a responsible adult.
Socially we expect crazy parties, long nights at the library with our “study group,” an hour or two at the recreation center working towards our new body image goal, Netflix and Chill with friends, or clubbing until they shut us down.
Coming into college, we roll our eyes when loved ones tell us to not drink and drive. We have all heard those words from our parents… “Call us if you need anything; at any time of the night, we don’t care!” Then we have older friends and family who try to bestow their wisdom, telling us to take a cab or Uber home after a night out. In our minds we are saying, “of course were going to do that! I am just starting to live my life independently and I’m not ready to get in trouble with the law or risk my life.”
A majority of students start out making healthy decisions, but what happens all too often is that you choose to drive or be in the car with someone else driving who is not sober ONE TIME. Then nothing bad happens so you continue to risk it over and over again.
How come?
- I don’t have enough money to pay for a ride home.
- It’s just one time…
- I stopped drinking an hour ago; I should be good.
- I’m not even drunk.
- My apartment/house is right there… I’ll be fine.
Well I’m here to remind you there are no excuses to drive drunk or ride with a driver under the influence. Think of all the excuses above… they don’t even begin to compare to the consequences you face when you risk driving drunk. Did you know Texas continues to lead the nation in alcohol impaired driving fatalities. And for college aged individuals the highest number of fatalities occurr between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. (aka bar closing time).
My advice, since I am now a wise college sensei… talk to your parents. Money may be the most common excuse for not getting a safe ride home. It may be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with your parents but trust me… they’d much rather pay your ride home than your DUI or DWI bill; even worse… funeral costs.
Don’t take the risk, get a sober ride home and continue living it up at college!
To learn more about other driving risks and how to avoid them, visit the U in the Driver Seat website.
Avery is a Senior at University of Texas, San Antonio. She is studying Communication, with a concentration in Public Relations.
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