Under the Influence

Sydney Hancock, Photographer

In 2018, there were an estimated 10,000 plus deaths resulting from drunk driving. Over 30% of those were teens; young adults with years of life left ahead of them. They have more access to popular alcoholic beverages like White Claw or bottom shelf liquor and fake identification than ever. Parents often have these items in the fridge or cupboards at home and teens at stores often stuff their shirts or slip a can in their bags, making alcohol a near effortless item to steal. Teens at parties most likely will participate in drinking games or challenges and then absent-mindedly get in a car with an intoxicated friend or offer to drive their friends home. In a time span of 10-15 minutes, they could have ended the lives of friends, themselves, or even another driver. 231 victims of drunk driving were 14 and younger. Alcohol should not be consumed by someone under the age of 21 or anyone intending to drive. It takes and ruins lives if not used responsibly.