Regardless of whether driver is impaired or sober, one can have a car crash. However, old drivers are less likely to be involved in traffic crashes, including alcohol-involved crashes than younger drivers (Evans et al., 2005). It could be explained by young drivers’ little driving experience and tendency to risk or drink alcohol. As Smithers (2007) states drivers aged 35 to 49 are 14 times less likely to be involved in a drunk driving incidents than the 17 to 19 age group. In another study it is shown that 35% of alcohol-related accidents in 2005 involved young drivers (Smithers, 2007). These statistics demonstrate that young people are likely to be involved in car accidents because of being drunk. In addition, it is also followed by usual youth desire to have more freedom by driving. Becoming a driver is a turning point of adulthood in every young person’s life. They tend to celebrate, hang out with each other and, eventually, drink alcohol. In addition, it was declared that people who are under the age of 21 are more likely to feel themselves irresponsible and overconfident, since their neurological system can be badly affected by the overuse of alcohol (U. S. Department of Justice, 2012). Therefore, reconsidering of the driving age to 21 years old should be applied as a restrictive and preventive …show more content…
The fact remains that the most significant measure which can prevent each crime is a stiff law. According to Kenkel and Koch (2001), a lot of new state laws have raised up the certainty and severity of punishment for drunk driving. It could be carried out by increasing fines, which can contribute to the decline of fatal car accidents. For example, according to UK drink-driving penalties, if a person is above the legal limit or unfit through drink, he or she might get 6 months’ imprisonment or driving band for at least one year. The same happens if a person declines to be tested on BAC. (Gov.UK, 2016). More strict penalties are given if drunk driving caused death of other people. This practice should be considered as a preventive or, if needed, deterring tool, which is likely to decrease the rate of