A teenage driver faces DUI charges following a serious collision that occurred recently in Omaha, Nebraska. The 18 year old driver escaped with minor injuries; however, an occupant of the other involved vehicle suffered potentially serious internal injuries in the crash. The crash serves as a reminder to all young drivers, and their parents, of how dangerous it can for a young, inexperienced driver to get behind the wheel after consuming any amount of alcohol.
According to news reports, a Dodge Durango collided with a Ford Fusion near the intersection of 155th and Pacific Street around 11:00 p.m. on August 5th. The driver of the Durango, and 18 year old female, apparently attempted to turn from eastbound Pacific Street onto northbound 155th Street. Instead, she collided with a Ford Fusion which was heading westbound on Pacific Street. The Fusion, which had just been purchased by the 27 year old driver three hours prior to the crash, was totaled. The driver of the Fusion suffered a broken leg. A 26 year old passenger in the Fusion, however, suffered serious abdominal injuries as a result of the collision.
The teenage driver of the Durango was charged with driving under the influence, minor in possession, open container, and failure to yield the right of way.
Why Drinking and Driving Is Even More Dangerous for Teenagers
By now, we should all be aware of the dangers involved in drinking and driving, as well as the potential legal ramifications of being arrested and convicted of driving under the influence. Both the dangers and the legal consequences related to drinking and driving can be even worse when the driver is a teenager.
Statistically speaking, the facts and figures relating to teenage drinking and driving are frightening. Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teenagers and approximately 25 percent of those crashes involve an underage and under the influence driver. Moreover, kids who tart drinking young are seven times more likely to be involved in an alcohol related crash! Operating a motor vehicle is a skill that requires both attention to detail and critical thinking. Alcohol decreases a driver’s abilities in both those areas. What puts teenagers at a higher risk is that they have yet to develop their driving skills because they don’t have the practical experience yet that an adult driver has, coupled with the tendency to downplay the risks associated with driving under the influence.
Along with the risk of serious, even fatal, injuries a teenage driver faces as a result of drinking and driving, the State of Nebraska also has a “zero tolerance” law that can lead to a criminal conviction for an underage driver who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just 0.02 percent – considerably less than the legal limit for adults (0.08 percent).
If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Nebraska, or you have a child who has been charged with an alcohol related driving offense, contact the Petersen Law Office 24 hours a day at 402-513-2180 to discuss your case with an experienced DUI defense attorney.
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