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What are the Binge Drinking Laws and Proposals in Ohio

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, and Ohio is no different, and laws are being introduced to combat this societal problem. There are binge drinking proposals and laws in place to lower this problem in Ohio.

 
 

More articles on DUI Laws in Ohio

  
 

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.
  • For the first time offense of binge drinking in Ohio, you would have to stay in jail for 6 days, and you could face a license restriction of 6 months to 3 years. Ohio considers excessive drunkenness to be a BAC of .17 or above.
  • The second time conviction of DUI or OVI in Ohio, you would have to stay in jail 20 days, and you could face a fine from $350 to $1,500. Not to mention that your license could be suspended from 1 to 5 years. You vehicle would be immobilized for up to 90 days.
  • For a third time conviction of binge drinking in Ohio, you would have to spend 60 days in jail, and you would have to pay a fine from $350 to $1,500. Your license could be suspended for as much as up to 10 years. Plus, your vehicle could be immobilized for up to 180 days.

It is plain to see that Ohio has strict binge drinking laws in place. So, it is better not to ever drink and drive.