Drinking and driving among teens doubles

Drinking and driving among Utah teenagers has nearly doubled for the second year in a row.

In 2001, 362 people between ages 15 and 20 were arrested for driving under the influence in Utah. In 2002, 668 people of the same age were arrested for DUI. In 2003, there were 1,256 youths arrested for DUI, according to new data just being compiled by the Utah Highway Safety Office.

"It's been a significant problem for years," said Lt. Ron Ostler of the Utah Highway Patrol. "Alcohol is still the drug of choice, but it's as bad or worse than it's ever been."

In addition, crashes caused by drunken teenage drivers are at an all-time high.

In 2001, 254 accidents involved alcohol and drivers between 15 and 19. A year later, the number of accidents was 100 higher.

Data show young women are driving drunk more frequently, and so are youngsters under age 15. Last year Utah law enforcers also cited 852 youths for "Not-A-Drop" zero tolerance for drivers under 21, according to Teri Pectol of the Utah Highway Safety Office.

"The numbers unfortunately show that alcohol is too easily obtained by young people and that they do not take seriously the dangers of drinking and driving," said Susan Burke, director of the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council.

"More must be done to prevent youths access to alcohol and to change attitudes that it's OK to provide minors with alcohol."

In early February, trooper Mike Loveland stopped a car traveling on I-80 at Echo Junction with no front lights on.

The driver, who was 19 years old, intoxicated and driving on a revoked license from a prior DUI, was traveling home to Salt Lake City from Evanston, Wyo.

He had his 3-year-old daughter in the back seat and two kegs of beer in the trunk.

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