As fall approaches and the leaves turn from green to red and brown, the air in many college towns will fill with the smells of tailgating and barbeques on football Saturdays. Madison, Wisconsin, is no exception as the hometown Badgers hope to improve on last year's season and work toward Big Ten and national championships. Along with all of the great food served during the games, many people also indulge in beer and other alcoholic beverages.
Since football Saturdays are usually celebrated at colleges and universities and since many students who attend such institutions are under the age of 21, it is often the case that underage drinking occurs on many campuses. Police in Madison noticed between the first and second games of the Badgers' 2013 season, arrests for underage drinking doubled.
Police also noted that over the last two games the highest blood alcohol concentrations found were at least .30 percent. Wisconsin drivers who blow over a .08 percent are in violation of the state's drunk driving laws.
While it is not stated if the underage drinkers subject to breath tests and arrest were driving at the time of their BAC level determinations, social events like football games and tailgates often do give rise to the conditions that lead some people drink and drive. For many people, drinking responsibly is a priority but even very careful people can get behind the wheel when their BAC levels are above the legal limit.
As people across the state cheer for their home teams and enjoy the tasty cookouts that occur on football Saturdays, police will be on the lookout for individuals driving under the influence of alcohol. A drunk driving arrest can cost a person thousands of dollars and can lead to a reduction of rights and conditions placed on a person's ability to drive.
Source: Beaumont Enterprise, "Underage drinking arrests double at Badgers game," Sep. 8, 2013