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In March, millions of college students across the US take a Spring Break vacation. Florida, and especially Miami, have long been popular destinations for Spring Break, due to the area’s beaches and warm climate. Unfortunately, experts are warning that Spring Break could cause a spike in injuries and car accidents in popular vacation destinations.

Unfortunately, Spring Break has become somewhat synonymous with alcohol and many college students on break do indulge in alcohol when relaxing away from classes. This can lead to alcohol poisoning, more Miami car accidents, and more injuries overall. According to the CDC, young people are more likely to suffer a fatal injury or serious injury due to alcohol-related accidents during Spring Break. Luckily, there are also many things that college students can do to have a safe Spring Break:

1) Rely on taxis rather than on rental cars. In cities such as Miami, taxis are plentiful and can be much safer than renting a car, since students do not have to worry about parking the car or getting it back after a night out. As well, taxi drivers are more familiar with Miami streets than visitors, which can also help curb Miami traffic accidents. Taxis, when shared, can also be less expensive than renting a car.

2) Wear practical shoes when going out. Miami car accidents aren’t the only thing that students have to worry about. Drinking can lead to an overall loss of coordination which can easily lead to trips and falls.

3) Designate a driver – even if no one will be driving. Even if no one plans on driving, having a designated driver is important. That person can get help if anyone trips and falls, drinks too much, or shows signs of being ill.

4) Avoid binge drinking. Binge drinking is not only dangerous because it leads to Miami drunk driving accidents. Binge drinking is also dangerous in and of itself, and can lead to liver and heart problems as well as alcohol poisoning and other dangerous conditions. Drinking in moderation is always the safer choice.

5) Avoid walking to the hotel after a night of drinking. While walking is safer than drinking and driving, it can easily lead to a Miami pedestrian accident. Intoxicated pedestrians can wander into traffic or can make poor decisions at crosswalks, so taking a taxi is a better choice. Intoxicated students can also be an easier target for criminals, so staying together and taking a taxi back to the hotel is the safer option.

6) Have contacts in place and a way of contacting someone for help. A cell phone and a list of friends you can call at any time can help you avoid poor decisions such as drinking and driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Springtime is the season for high school prom and graduation events in Greenville and across North Carolina. College students also seem to have more year-end parties during this time of year. It does not come as a surprise to any Greenville criminal defense lawyer that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says alcohol related accidents spike during the months of April, May and June each year, coinciding with the peak months for high school proms and graduation parties.

The NHTSA says car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in this country. Roughly 36 percent of traffic fatalities involving 15 to 20 year olds are alcohol related car accidents. But for many teens, difficulties arise due to involvement of law enforcement and not accidents. Teens in North Carolina can face criminal charges for underage possession or consumption of alcohol. Many face charges alleging underage DUI after attending a spring party.

Parents can take note of a number of tips from the organization SADD to help reduce the risk of criminal underage DUI charges or accidents involving alcohol among the state’s teenage population during the risky period surrounding the end of the school year.

SADD recommends that parents and guardians:

• Communicate openly about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially at high school parties
• Do not supply teens with substances
• Know who is driving when the teens go out for the evening and what the teen’s plans include
• Do not rent a hotel room for teens for prom or graduation parties
• Communicate with other parents in your child’s circle of friends
• Stay up until the teen comes home

Teens respond to parents who communicate openly and fairly with their children. Teenagers who have open communications with their parents’ are more likely to live up to the parents’ expectations. Open communication can help a parent to reduce the risk of their child having to face alcohol related North Carolina criminal charges, not only during the spring, but year-round.

Source: Evansville Courier and Press, “Prom, graduation season accelerates dangers of underage drinking, drugs,” Nichole White 4 Apr 2011

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Everyone loves a Memorial Day weekend party, but a new study suggests that some kids are having more holiday ‘fun’ than they should.

Underage-drinking related visits to hospital emergency rooms are 11 percent higher on the typical Memorial Day weekend than on normal days, according to a new study (PDF) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Also, ER visits for problems associated with combined alcohol and other drug use by those under age 21 are 27 percent higher over the holiday weekend.

Youth alcohol-related admissions over the three-day weekend average 577 daily, compared to 519 on a typical day. Admissions for combined use of alcohol and other drugs average 199 visits, compared to 156 normally.

The data are from SAMHSA’s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Orange County)