Binge drinking is the excessive amount of alcohol consumption under a short span of time, for the sole intention of becoming intoxicated. It is a particularly major problem amongst the youth, and Pennsylvania is no different, and laws are being introduced to combat this societal problem. There are binge drinking proposals and laws in place to lower this problem in Pennsylvania.
It is quite common for college age adults to consume much alcohol during their college days. This can adversely affect the brain’s development when alcohol is taken in moderate amounts- so what about binge drinking! Not to mention that to be charged with DUI after binge drinking could ruin your life, for there could be long jail time and heavy fines- and that is without injuring or killing someone behind the wheel, drunk.
What is binge drinking
As said, it is the excessive consumption of alcohol under a short period of time. It can be dangerous as well as deadly. It is popular all over, but, especially on college campuses and New Year’s Eve. The exact level of intoxication varies from state to state. It is more common among young males. However, young females are known to engage in it too. It is quite common among college campuses, which is why laws are introduced to combat this social ill.
Ill effects of binge drinking
Binge drinking has social, physical, and economic costs. It can cause horrendous and fatal accidents as well as death. It takes its toll on the physical body. Binge drinking can cause bad effects on cardiac, neurologic, gastrointestinal, immune, hematologic, musculoskeletal, and psychiatric organ systems. It can also lead to fetal alcohol syndrome in females who drink during pregnancy. Also, the main cause of death amongst adolescents, due to binge drinking, is traffic accidents. In fact, a third of all fatal traffic accidents is due to adolescents drinking alcohol.
Laws to prevent binge drinking
- The 21 law: This requires that the legal age of drinking to be 21. Since most college students are between the ages of 18 to 22, this should combat the problem quite a bit.
- In Pennsylvania, DUIs are punished by how much blood alcohol is in your system. So, in the case of binge drinking, you would have the highest punishments. A BAC of .16 or above is considered highly intoxicated, which binge drinking could easily cause your BAC to be that high. An ignition interlock device is added to your car for a first time binge drinking offense.
- Your license is suspended for up to 12 months for the first conviction. For second and third convictions, your license can be suspended for up to 18 months. Also, an ignition interlock device is put on your car prior to your license being reinstated.
- For a first time conviction, you can face up to 6 months in jail and pay a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. For a second time conviction, you could face up to 5 years in jail and pay a fine of $1,500
- For a third conviction, you could face up to 5 years in jail and pay a minimum fine of $2,500.
It just isn’t worth it to drink heavily and drive.
Originally posted 2016-12-11 15:21:17.