Drunk driving is not uncommon among teenagers in Texas and elsewhere in the U.S. CDC data shows that 5.5% of teens drive after consuming alcohol, but the amount consumed may vary. Regardless, it can be argued that drinking and driving among teens has an impact on overall drunk driving fatality rates. This was precisely what some researchers at CheapCarInsuranceQuotes.com argue.
Their study was based on data from the CDC’s High School Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Looking at how many teens reported drinking and driving at least once in the previous month, researchers made a list of 15 states with the highest percentages. Arkansas, Louisiana and Montana were at the top with 10.6%, 10% and 7.6% of high school students reportedly driving after drinking.
The bottom three of the worst 15 were Idaho, Arizona and Connecticut with 6%, 6.2% and 6.3%, respectively. The state with the least amount of teen drunk drivers was Utah at 2.8%. The drunk driving fatality rate for Arkansas, Louisiana and Montana was 4.8, 4.7 and 5.4 per 100,000 people, respectively; Utah’s was 1.7, and the national average was 3.4.
Researchers discovered more. For instance, 25.7%, 34% and 33.1% of teens in Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri, respectively, consumed alcohol with no reference to driving afterwards. Also, 26.3%, 28.2% and 19.8% of teens in those states rode with drunk drivers.
When drunk drivers cause an accident, their auto insurance company may find itself facing a claim under motor vehicle accident law. Even where it is clear that defendants are guilty, though, plaintiffs may have trouble achieving a settlement that covers all economic and non-economic damages like medical costs, pain and suffering and lost income. This is where legal advice and guidance might come in handy. A lawyer may negotiate with the insurance companies and litigate if negotiations fail.