Published October 15, 2009
Written by Grace Chen
Each day, 36 individuals in the United States die from drunk driving, and another 700 are injured. In 2006 alone, nearly 13,500 individuals died in alcohol-impaired accidents, equivalent to one-third of all traffic accident deaths in total, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The college student population, unfortunately, accounts for a disproportionate amount of these tragic statistics. In 2001 alone, more than 1,700 college students were killed in alcohol-involved incidents, and 80% of these cases involved drunk driving. In the same year, more than 31% of college students admitted to drinking and driving, according to AAA of Southern California.
Thankfully, community colleges are playing an important role in reducing and preventing instances of drunk driving. Through various substance awareness programs, informative classes, and even volunteer designated driving programs, community college students are being commended for their role in the fight against drunk driving.
Community Colleges Respond against Drunk Driving
While many community colleges have established their own organizations to combat drunk driving, two institutions that have received remarkable praise are University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. As The San Francisco Chronicle reports, volunteers from both schools have collaborated to sign a joint petition to prevent dangerous alcohol and vehicle related incidents. Upon signing the pledge, students volunteer “To serve as designated drivers when wearing free, serial-numbered ‘Wolf Tags.’” Over 600 students from the combined schools have agreed to the pledge, and the campuses’ Office of Student Conduct distributes the tags to student volunteers.
As another example of a community college in action, Harford Community College, located in Bel Air, Maryland, encourages its students to participate in their campus chapter of SADD. SADD, which stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions, is an organization that fosters collaborative support for prevention and intervention. Students can contact SADD to find information about support groups, counseling, treatment programs, and other guidance options. While keeping personal anonymity, students can even opt to call SADD’s free hotline.
Other community colleges take a more reactive approach to drunk driving by providing substance abuse programs and DUI rehabilitation courses on campus. Both students and general community members alike can take these courses in response to DUI charges.
National Resources for Reducing Drunk Driving on Campus
To address the growing problem of drunk driving amongst students, the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention and the Automobile Club of Southern California work together to identify models that will reduce drunk driving on campus. The two organizations evaluate college campuses and give awards based upon innovative anti-drunk driving programs.
Some of the noteworthy community college campuses recognized by the Best Practices from the College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Awards Program include:
- El Paso Community College, Rio Grande Campus, Texas: EPCC has created school events centered on building awareness regarding the true dangers of drunk driving. These events include a DUI prevention parade, which includes the powerful imagery of a wrecked car. A candlelight vigil for victims of drunk driving, a Memorial Wall, and a poster contest all bring awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence.
- Santa Barbara City College, California: SBCC spearheaded an innovative marketing campaign that utilized multiple avenues to educate its campus about the dangers of drunk driving. In media classes, students were encouraged to develop marketing ads for the anti-drunk driving campaign. Different campus events, such as Safe Spring Break, further reinforced the message, as did peer health educators who gave presentations and surveys.
Of course, there always remains more to be achieved in the war against drunk driving. In July 2009, Colleen Clark, the President of the Maricopa County Community Colleges governing board was arrested for drunk driving, as reported by the Huffington Post. Hopefully, however, community colleges will continue to lead the charge in reducing the instances of drunk driving throughout all cities in America.
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Impaired Driving,” available at http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Impaired_Driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html
Automobile Club of Southern California, “Reducing Drinking and Driving on Campus: Best Practices from the College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Awards Program,” available at http://www.aaa-calif.com/corpinfo/guides/drinking-prevention-booklet-3.pdf
Valencia Community College, “Drunk Driving Subject Guide,” available at http://www.valenciacc.edu/library/west/guides/subject/drunkdriving.cfm
The San Francisco Chronicle, “UNR Students Sign up for Designated-Driver Tags,” available at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/27/state/n050030D13.DTL&type=business
Harford Community College, available at http://www.harford.edu/ClubsAndOrgs/saddtipps/default.asp
Huffington Post, President of Community College Board Arrested for DUI,”available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dawn-teo/president-of-community-co_b_284133.html
Read Related Attending College Articles:
- What to Expect Your First Semester of Community College
Learn what to expect in terms of classes and student life in your first semester of community college. - Do Community College Applicants Need to Take Enrollment Exams?
Learn about whether or not you may need to take an enrollment exam at your local community college, as well as the benefits these exams may provide to your academic career. - Transferring from Community College to a 4-year Institution
Learn about the steps you need to take to succesfully transfer from a community college to a 4-year institution. - How to Ensure Your Community College Credits Transfer to a 4 Year University
Make sure that your community college credits will transfer to your four year university by following these recommended strategies. - The Reverse Transfer Process
Learn about the reverse transfer process and how it can benefit your education. - Stuck on a Waiting List? How Community College Students Can Combat College Admission Freezes
More and more of today's community college students find themselves on waiting lists thanks to budget cuts. Learn about strategies you can take to get yourself off of waiting lists and into class. - Why Community College Students are Taking Classes at Midnight
To accommodate students' schedules, along with growing enrollment rates, community colleges are offering classes in the late evening. Learn more about why you may be taking midnight classes at a campus near you. - How Community Colleges are Coping with Double Digit Enrollment Growth
Learn about how community colleges are changing their campuses to accomodate for double-digit growth in student enrollment. - Should Community Colleges Allow Undocumented Immigrants to Enroll?
Learn about the controversy surrounding community colleges' admission policies regarding undocumented immigrants. - 3 Reasons Why Top Universities are Recruiting Community College Students
Learn about the growing trend amongst four-year universities to recruit from community college campuses. Enjoy an academic head start and a competitive edge against other applicants by starting first at community college. - Establishing Good Relationships with Instructors
Learn how to establish good relationships with community college instructors, and how they can be helpful for your academics. - Tutors and Academic Assistance for Community College Students
Learn about tutoring options and academic assistance for community college students. - Writing Assistance for Community College Students
Learn how to get essay and writing skills assistance in community college. - How to Avoid Community College Academic Probation
Learn about academic probation and dismissal, as well as the strategies you can enact to ensure you remain in good academic standing with your community college. - The Value of Mentoring Programs in Community College
Learn about the variety of mentoring programs available in community colleges, and why you may want to be involved as a mentee or mentor. - The Benefits of Community College Minority Mentoring Programs
Learn about how minority mentorship programs at community colleges are improving academic performance and graduation rates, as well as providing a medley of benefits. - Avoid the 3 Major Pitfalls of the First Year of Community College
Learn about how you can avoid the commonly experienced pitfalls students encounter in the first few weeks of community college, and ensure that you do not slip through the cracks. - Will You Graduate From Community College? Factors that Influence Success
Learn more about the factors that can influence whether you graduate from community college. - Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?
Learn about the benefits and disadvantages of academic bankruptcy and whether this option is right for your GPA and financial aid eligibility. - How Community College Campuses are Preparing for the H1N1 Virus
Learn about how community colleges are putting plans in place to prevent and combat the spread of H1N1 on campus. - Enjoy Free Healthcare Services at Your Local Community College
Learn about the opportunities and free healthcare services available at your local community college. Whether you need dental, medical, or even physical therapy treatment, your local community college may be able to provide you with the care that you need, regardless of your budget. - How to Get Help for Your DUI through Your Community College
If you are facing a DUI, your community college can be an excellent resource for affordable legal assistance and counseling programs. - Paid Drug Testing Trials: The Risks to Community College Students
Should you undergo the risks associated with paid drug testing trials both on and off your community college campus? Learn about the benefits and risks associated with these testing trials. - Earn Money and Accolades Through Community College Writing Competitions
Students who enjoy writing can earn published recognition and cash prizes through community college writing competitions. Learn about national contests, as well as how you can find local writing competitions near your community college. - Campus Living Options for Community College Students
Learn about the increasing number of campus living options for community college students. - Can Community Colleges Limit Your Right to Free Speech?
Learn about the legal cases brought against community colleges, who allegedly have been violating students' rights to freedom of speech. - Faith Based Initiatives at Community Colleges: Faux Pas or Politically Correct?
Learn about how religious intiatives at community colleges are growing in popularity and how these programs will impact the dynamics on campus. - Athletics in Community Colleges
Learn about athletics in community colleges - what sports are typically offered and their role in the student experience. - How to Meet New Friends While Playing Sports
Take advantage of the intramural sports opportunities offered at your local community college, including baseball, basketball, ping pong, and even rock climbing. - Professional Athletic Opportunities for Community College Students
Learn how community college can facilitate professional athletic opportunities for its students. - Run Towards the Finish Line with a Community College Marathon
For novice and competitive runners alike, community colleges across the country offer fun marathon events, as well as an opportunity to join collegiate marathon teams. - Top 3 Reasons to Join a Debate Club to Benefit Your Career
Consider three of the best reasons to join your community college's debate club to further your future career and job opportunities. - Choosing Electives for a Rounded Education
Learn how choosing electives can be enjoyable and professionally beneficial. - The Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer in Community College
Consider these five reasons, ranging from resume benefits to professional opportunities, to volunteer during your time in community college - Alternative Spring Break: Programs and Opportunities
Instead of visiting a party destination this spring break, consider attending educational and philanthropic opportunities offered through your community college. - Support for ESL Students in Community College
Learn about the support programs available for ESL students in community college. - North Carolina Community Colleges: Pioneering Increased Enrollment and Early Graduation Rates
Learn about how North Carolina's community colleges have created innovative programs that not only increase student enrollment, but give high school students an opportunity to attend courses on campus tuition-free. - How to Find the Best Community College for Your Unique Hearing Needs
If you have specific hearing needs, finding a supportive community college campus is critical. Learn about what to look for in a community college and what programs across the nation are providing innovative resources to those with hearing impairments. - Which Community College is Best for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
For students with autism spectrum disorder, community colleges across the country can provide excellent higher education support. Learn about how to choose the right community college that specifically meets the needs of ASD students. - The Secret Signs of Undiagnosed Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Learn about the symptoms of Adult ADD and ADHD, and how an undiagnosed disorder may impact your academic, social, and professional endeavors. - Community College Students Need Parent Encouragement
Learn tips on how to support your child during during their transition to community college. - Community College Counseling: Academic and Personal Support
Your community college is an excellent resource for support; learn about the academic and emotional support available to you on campus. - The Benefits of Community College Clubs
Learn about the benefits of participating in clubs at community college. - Studying Abroad During Community College
Learn about the benefits of studying abroad during community college. - Benefits of Internships for Community College Students
Build your professional and academic career with internships. Learn how to find the right internships through your community college campus. - Does Your Community College Allow Guns on Campus?
Learn about the new proposals and regulations that may allow students to carry handguns on community college campuses. - Campus Safety on Community Colleges
Learn about how you can stay safe and secure on your community college campus - Finding Childcare on Community College Campuses
Learn how you can balance the roles of being a student and a parent by securing child care assistance on campus. - Wellness Opportunities at Community Colleges
Learn about the different opportunities for improving your health and wellness at community college. - Get Better Grades in Community College by Being Social
Learn about the research that shows how participation in community college boosts student performance and success. - How Community Colleges are Inspiring Young Girls to Soar to Success
Learn about how community colleges are introducing programs that inspire young girls to achieve more academically, socially, and emotionally.
All Categories:
Featured Partners:
