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Guest Commentary: August 10, 2001
Working to Stop Underage Drinking and Driving
The Honorable Tim Hutchinson
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Prom, football games, study hall - all come to mind when one thinks of high school. Unfortunately, for all too many teenagers alcohol abuse and drunk driving are also a part of their lives. Though these young drivers constitute only 6.7 percent of the total driving population, they make up 13 percent of the alcohol-involved drivers in fatal crashes.
While drunk driving and deaths resulting from drunk driving have decreased dramatically in the last twenty years, more work remains to be done. Alcohol remains a major threat to the safety of our teenagers. More than 35 percent of all deaths among 16 to 20 year-olds are the result of motor vehicle crashes. Alcohol is involved in approximately 37 percent of these fatal crashes. It has been estimated that eight young people a day die in alcohol-related crashes.
In addition to drunk driving, teenage alcohol abuse has been linked to high rates of suicide, crime, and teen pregnancy. Teenagers who drink are also 7 times more likely to use illicit drugs than those who do not drink. Drinking may also lead to trouble in school as consumption of alcohol has been correlated with lower grades.
In order to help combat underage drinking and the problems it creates, I am cosponsoring S. 866. Introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), this legislation would establish a national media campaign to prevent underage drinking. The campaign will utilize television, print, radio, and Internet advertisements to convey to teenagers and parents the real consequences of underage drinking. It will be modeled after the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) anti-drug media campaign.
The legislation would provide $1 million for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to research the best ways to prevent teenage drinking and design a national media campaign based on this research. The bill also requires the Secretary to coordinate with state, local, non-profit, and private sector efforts to stop underage drinking.
Underage drinking is a problem that touches communities across America. Together, we can help prevent underage drinking and its tragic consequences.
Note: Senator Hutchinson issues a weekly column; the above is adapted from his column of July 20, 2001.
 How to contact Senator Tim Hutchinson (R-AR)
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