Jair Wright | The Famuan
Everyday almost 29 people in the United States die in alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes, which amounts to one person every 50 minutes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To take it a step further, researchers estimate that 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries every year.
Tallahassee is home to Florida A&M University, Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.
The amount of alcohol that students consume can be a problem in a college town such as Tallahassee. A lot of them don’t start drinking until they go to college. Every night there is something to do and almost always a bar or nightclub is open. The city is almost like a hub for fun and entertainment.
With homecoming season around the corner for FAMU and FSU, they can be problematic weeks in Tallahassee with the amount of drinking that will be going on. The population in the city will increase and more cars will be on the road.
Many people think about car crash-related incidents when it comes to drinking but physical altercations and other alcohol-related crimes should not be counted out.
“My first night in Tally I went to the club and saw at least five people get carried out because they were too drunk and fighting the security guards,” said TCC student Sam Oglesby, who is a freshman and new to the college scene.
Students should be aware of the substantial amount of risks that come with drinking.
Former FAMU student Joel Andrews almost lost his life last year due to drinking and driving. “I don’t even remember that night. All I know is that I woke up in a hospital with only a scratch,” Andrews said. “I’m thankful to be alive. The car was totaled and I destroyed a light pole in the process.”
While going out with friends and having a good time is an essential part of the college lifestyle, drinking responsibly should be just as important. Taking steps toward moderately drinking could help lessen the potential risk of getting injured in alcohol driven situations.
“I try not to drink more than two cups whenever I go out, so I can stay on the safe side,” said fourth-year political science student Devin Watkins.
“When people get drunk they don’t really think logically and end up doing things they regret,” he said.