The month of September sees a migration of former high school students getting into their cars and moving to their new life in college or, after boot camp or basic training, to advanced training in their military specialty field. A lot of these students will be driving far from home and may find themselves driving into trouble for a variety of reasons.
At first glance it might not seem that these two groups are related, but they actually have a lot more in common than people might think. Both groups are made up primarily of 18 and 19 year olds who, for the most part are out on their own for the first time, making their own decisions, and having to face the consequences of those decisions. College students are in an environment that is vastly different from what they experienced in high school and they are exposed to a lot more freedoms than they have ever experienced before. The military students, while living in a more regimented environment, will find, compared to basic training, that they are also experiencing a lot more freedom along with responsibility for their own schedules and learning.
Driving Dangerously
When it comes to driving, that sense of freedom, being out from under their parent’s direct supervision, can sometimes lead to trouble. There may sometimes be a feeling that the old rules no longer apply and they are free to do whatever they feel. Unfortunately, campus police and law enforcement in the town where the university is located don’t see it the same way. Military police also have a reputation for not having much of a sense of humor when it comes to violating traffic laws on base. Speeding, running red lights and other common traffic infractions are all too common in college and military towns and you will find that judges in those districts can be very strict.
The problem lies in the fact that the 16 to 25 age group continue to be the most dangerous group of drivers on the road with an annual fatality rate that far exceeds those of all other age groups. Young people tend to take more risks and live under an “it’ll never happen to me” mindset. Combine that attitude with alcohol and other substances and you are creating a recipe for disaster.
Energy Drinks
Flunking out of school isn’t a pleasant prospect for anyone. For the university student, flunking out means that you will have to face the wrath of your parents; for the military student who flunks out, angry parents are the least of their worries. Whether it’s for that philosophy exam or trying to wrap your head around a complex radar guidance system, college and military students devote a lot of their hours to studying and, more and more, they are relying on highly caffeinated energy drinks to get them through the night. Many students are using these energy drinks as a substitute for sleep. Energy drinks however can have a negative and even dangerous impact on driving abilities.
The caffeine contained in one or two cups of coffee is thought to be safe and even beneficial when driving but a couple of energy drinks such as Monster and RockStar contain enough caffeine to induce “caffeine intoxication” and that can lead to:
* restlessness
* nervousness
* excitement
* insomnia
* increased urination
* gastrointestinal disturbance
* muscle twitching
* a rambling flow of thought and speech
* irritability
* irregular or rapid heartbeat
* psychomotor agitation
Larger doses can cause:
* mania
* depression
* lapses in judgment
* disorientation
* delusions
* hallucination and psychosis
Needless to say, driving while experiencing these symptoms is not a good idea. Another problem with using these drinks as a substitute for sleep is that, if you are sleep deprived when they wear off, you are going to fall asleep almost immediately. You don’t want that to happen behind the wheel.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Unfortunately, one other thing young people in the military and universities share in common is a reliance on alcohol to have a good time. For most of its history, the military glamorized alcohol and it was ingrained in the military culture but, starting almost 30 years ago, the military realized the negative impact alcohol was having on its mission and personnel and began programs to de-glamorize and limit its use. Where it might have been laughed off years ago, today, a DUI is a serious offense in the military. A military member who is arrested for DUI while off base will face both civil and military punishment and can, under certain circumstances, face dismissal from the service. At the least it can put an end to promotions and a successful military career. There is a zero tolerance for drug abuse in the military and evidence of drug abuse is cause for an automatic discharge.
Universities however have been slower to respond to the problems posed by alcohol abuse among their students; but that is changing. Some universities, subject to complaints from the surrounding community, are taking actions to curb alcohol abuse. Many universities have banned the use of alcohol on campus and are expelling students who have gotten a DUI. They are also imposing strict restrictions on fraternities and sororities to limit use of alcohol at Greek functions. Just like the military, universities are working hard to de-glamorize alcohol and drug abuse.
A DUI can also wreck a potential career. Many professions, especially those in the medical field, prohibit licensing for anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or drug possession.
It is tragic when a young person, just starting out on his or her own, is killed or severely injured in a traffic collision. Sadly, it is an all too common occurrence. The freedom that comes with being out on your own doesn’t mean freedom from responsibility and your greatest responsibility is to yourself.
http://www.NationalSafetyCommission.com/ works to increase awareness of important safety issues, particularly those that deal with highway and traffic safety information. Our mission is to make consumers more vigilant and understand that “safety is no accident,” through education and outreach programs.
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