New National Report Highlights the Need to End College Impaired Driving

Washington, D.C./Sacramento, CA – Today, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) released a new report highlighting the increased risk for college-age students as it relates to alcohol and drug-impaired driving. 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 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.

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."

SADD released this report today, virtually, in Sacramento with partners from across the state of California. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) joined SADD student leaders and other national experts in roadway safety for a virtual event to release the report. 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided funding for the College-Impaired Driving National Report.

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SADD, the nation's premier youth health & safety organization, works to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities, and change lives around the issues of traffic safety, substance abuse, and personal health and safety. Through a national network of peer-led chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, SADD equips students with the resources they need to advocate for change in their communities. Join the movement by visiting www.sadd.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

This release was published on openPR.