Teen drivers and DUI/DWI offenders should be required to have breathalyzers in their cars

The brain has been proven not to be fully form completely until the age of 20 -25. That means to some degree a persons judgement of future consequences from present actions is impaired. Alcohol has been proven to impair motor skills, judgement, and a persons senses. Why allow these two hinderances to feed off of each other in teen drivers ? In an effort to understand how many drunk driving offenders had prior DUI convictions on their records, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requested states to supply data in 2012. In all, 12 states submitted this requested data and after reviewing the information, the NHTSA discovered that nearly one-third of all DUI arrests and DUI convictions involved repeat drunk driving offenders. The data also uncovered some other concerning statistics. For instance, when comparing first-time DUI offenders with repeat offenders, it was found that a person with a prior DUI has 4.1 times the risk of being involved in a fatal automobile accident. In another study, researchers found that the chances for being involved in a fatal car accident increased with every additional DUI arrest. Several review papers in the last 15 years have summarized available literature on drinking driver characteristics. A recent review of more than 130 original and review papers (Kennedy, 1993) summarizes key information as follows. (Numerical estimates below are approximate ranges from the majority of studies reviewed.) Drinking while driving drivers are majority between the ages of 20-45; 80-95% are male; high school education or less; 49-79% are in blue collar occupations; most are white, single (46-55%), divorced or separated (22-41%). They frequently display aggressive and hostile behavior; more frequently sensation-seekers; more likely to have histories of other criminal behavior; minimize the risks of impaired driving -- they do not consider impaired driving a serious issue and rarely feel that they are too impaired to drive. They also drink at least 2-3 times a week; 13-38% daily drinkers; frequently have 5 or more drinks at a time (35-60%); mean BAC 0.18 - 0.28; drink beer (64-79%);drink in licensed establishments (40-60%) more frequently than in private homes (18-34%);frequently had a previous problem due to drinking -- marital or family difficulties (30-49%), previous DWI (20-28%); frequently problem drinkers (54-74%) 69% think that most drinker-drivers are not alcoholics or problem drinkers. 85% think that drinking and driving by non-alcoholics is a serious highway problem, and 53% think that drinking and driving by others is a serious threat to the personal safety of themselves and their family. 58% think it is very important that something be done to reduce drinking and driving; another 35% think it is somewhat important; 83% think that people cannot drive safely after drinking too much even if they are careful. 32% think they can drink more than most people and still drive safely; 66% think they can drink about the same as most people. These all combined into a person who mostly likely and persistently drink and drive, regardless of consequences. A teenager is even higher statistically likely to drink and drive and have a defiant attitude towards future may be consequences. A breathalyzer attached to the ignition in teenage drivers and all DUI/DWI offenders, 1st time or otherwise, vehicles will greatly reduce the number of accident and fatalities happening each year. The device would have a video camera attached to prevent substitute testers and those circumventing the test would face high fines, added community service, extended probation, and the lose of their vehicle.