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What are the Binge Drinking Laws and Proposals in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma.

 
 

More articles on DUI Laws in Oklahoma

  
 

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 a first time offense, you would stay in jail from 10 days up to a year. If there were a child in your car under the age of 18, you could face up to 4 years in jail. You would have to pay a fine of up to $1,000 and double that if there were a child under 18 in your car. Your license could be suspended up to 30 days.
  • For a second time DUI offense in Oklahoma, you would face 1 to 5 years of jail or imprisonment. The time is up to 4 years if there were a child under 18 in your car. Also, your license could be suspended for up to 6 months. There would be an ignition interlock device put on your car. You would have to pay fines up to $2,500 and double that if there were a child under 18 in your car.

It just isn’t worth it to drink and drive in Oklahoma. The consequences of binge drinking can be dire, if not traumatic. And Oklahoma is fighting this problem.