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Binge Drinking Laws in North Dakota

Binge drinking is the excessive amount of alcohol consumption under a short span of time, for the sole intention of becoming intoxicated. It is a particularly major problem amongst the youth in North Dakota, and laws are being introduced to combat this societal problem.

 
 

More articles on DUI Laws in North Dakota

  
 

It is quite common for college age adults to consume much alcohol during their college days. This can adversely affect the brain’s development when alcohol is taken in moderate amounts- so what about binge drinking! Not to mention that to be charged with DUI after binge drinking could ruin your life, for there could be long jail time and heavy fines- and that is without injuring or killing someone behind the wheel, drunk.

What is binge drinking

As said, it is the excessive consumption of alcohol under a short period of time. It can be dangerous as well as deadly. It is popular all over, but, especially on college campuses and New Year’s Eve. The exact level of intoxication varies from state to state. It is more common among young males. However, young females are known to engage in it too. It is quite common among college campuses, which is why laws are introduced to combat this social ill.

Ill effects of binge drinking

Binge drinking has social, physical, and economic costs. It can cause horrendous and fatal accidents as well as death. It takes its toll on the physical body. Binge drinking can cause bad effects on cardiac, neurologic, gastrointestinal, immune, hematologic, musculoskeletal, and psychiatric organ systems. It can also lead to fetal alcohol syndrome in females who drink during pregnancy. Also, the main cause of death amongst adolescents, due to binge drinking, is traffic accidents. In fact, a third of all fatal traffic accidents is due to adolescents drinking alcohol.

Laws to prevent binge drinking

  • The 21 law: This requires that the legal age of drinking to be 21. Since most college students are between the ages of 18 to 22, this should combat the problem quite a bit.
  • License suspension: For the first time DUI offense in North Dakota, if your BAC is 0.18 or above (indicative of binge drinking), then your license is suspended for 108 days. For the second time offense for a BAC of 0.18 or above, your license is suspended for 2 years. For a third or fourth DUI conviction, your license is suspended for 3 years.
  • Fines: For a first time DUI conviction in North Dakota, there is a fine of $250 minimum. For a second time offense, there is a fine of $500 minimum. For third and fourth time convictions, there is a fine of $1,000 minimum. Fifth time offense, there is a maximum fine of $5,000.

All of these measures are being taken to ensure the health and safety of not only our kids and adult children, but to those persons who can be potential victims of binge drinking individuals. These laws are being proposed in North Dakota to protect its citizens against DUI and binge drinking.