Spring Break 2020 has already started and does not stop until the end of March. This is a special time for students to relax and be carefree. Some students may take “relaxing” and “carefree” too far.

Forty-four percent of college girls and 75 percent of college guys get drunk on a daily basis, according to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Also, approximately half of college students binge drink, and many will drink to the point of passing out at least once during their spring break vacation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines binge drinking as a “female consuming four or more drinks on a single occasion and a male consuming five or more drinks in one sitting.”

A study by the American College of Health reported that, during spring break, the average male student drinks 18 alcoholic drinks per day and the average female student consumes up to 10 per day.

NIAAA says approximately 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each academic year from accidental alcohol-related injuries.

MRI scans have been studied which show collegians who drank heavily showed damaged nerve tissue compared to those who did not drink. NIAAA says brains are still developing well into the twenties and can be harmed by excessive drinking. High alcohol consumption can affect breathing, heart rate, and a body’s ability to regulate temperature, leading to a shutdown of the body’s life-support functions.

NIAAA’s symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
• Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
• Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Passing out (unconsciousness)

Florida DUI Laws

Under Florida Statute 316.1934, it is unlawful to drive when a person’s normal faculties are impaired or when their blood-alcohol or breath-alcohol level is 0.08 or higher. The penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. wish all Spring Break attendees a fun and safe holiday. We encourage students to not take the words ‘relax’ and ‘carefree’ too far, because the results of doing so may have lasting consequences. Should you or a loved one be injured, our experienced legal team is available to assist you 24/7. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we get a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact  Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.