The fatal accident in Douglas County this past Saturday is one of the many tragedies that often unfold on America’s roads. While campaigns like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have helped create a national dialogue, motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death of young adults aged 15 to 20.
Many teenagers think they are invincible behind the wheel of a car and that alcohol does not have an effect on their driving. For instance, teenage boys with a blood alcohol level of .05 (a figure below the legal limit) are 18 times likely to suffer a single vehicle crash than their non-drinking counterparts. For teenage girls, the percentage jumps to 54 percent.
Tragic accidents like the one Saturday that killed sixteen year-old Cheyenne Sauls, with the teenage driver facing DUI and vehicular homicide charges, show the two sides of the coin that parents never want to see happen to their child.