From School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up-This title traces the rise of drunk driving among teens and discusses efforts-beginning in the 1980s-to ameliorate the tragic consequences of this behavior. Local measures, the work of voluntary groups such as MADD and RID, national legislation raising the legal drinking age to 21, and the availability of tests that efficiently determine the level of alcohol in the bloodstream have dramatically reduced alcohol-related deaths on the roads. Aaseng states, however, that teenagers are still more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol than other population groups, and motor-vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for this age group. Detailed chapters explain the effects of alcohol on the nervous system of a young drinker and elaborate upon the legal consequences for offenders. Although the trend appears to be toward tougher laws and stricter penalties, Aaseng mentions other approaches, such as raising taxes on alcohol, limiting advertising, reducing the need to drive, phased licenses, and ignition locks that operate only after a breathalyzer test. Most statistics are from 1996 or earlier. This book will be useful mainly for reports. Elaine Landau's Teenage Drinking (Enslow, 1994) and Hayley Mitchell's Teen Alcoholism (Lucent, 1997) address drinking and driving. Jane Claypool's Alcohol and You (Watts, 1997) has a full chapter on the subject.-Libby K. White, Jewish Vocational Services, Baltimore, MD
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