Alcohol is the main drink for parties and special occasions in the United States. Many people choose to drink alcohol because it helps them relax, release tension and socialize. Even most non-drinkers are forced to drink alcohol due to peer pressure. Hebert Moskowitz, president of the Southern California Research Institute in Los Angeles, admits that “alcohol has become so popular lately; it seems like alcohol is a requirement for parties” (Moskowitz, 13). Unfortunately, most UNM students do not know the limits for alcohol consumption. When the party ends, they don't realize they've had too much to drink and decide to drink and drive. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration (NHTSA), approximately 10,839 student drunk driving deaths were reported in 2009. Even though the number of alcohol-related accidents decreases every year, driving under the influence of alcohol should not be underestimated. Approximately every twenty-two minutes, one in fifty American drunk drivers is in an alcohol-related accident (NHTSA, 2009). Many UNM students under the influence of alcohol do not understand the consequences when they get into a car. It is our duty as students to take action against drunk student drivers in order to make our campus and our streets safer. The solution is simple. As students, we need to re-educate UNM students about drunk driving and petition the New Mexico government for tougher penalties against drunk drivers. There have been many awareness campaigns, such as the current "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose Campaign." Many campaigns have attempted to make UNM students understand the dangers of drinking and driving. However, many students continue to continue ...... middle of paper ......, sports, entertainment, work, classified ads and advertising. 21 February 2011. Web. 04 April 2011. .Moskowitz, Hebert and Marcelline Burns. "Effects of alcohol on driving performance". Alcohol Health & Research World 17.4 (1993): 12-15.NHTSA. “Road Safety Facts 2009.” National Center for Statistics and Analysis: 13-143. Network. 8 April 2011. .Pacheco, Angela. "Transportation Safety Law Center". Home page of the Transportation Safety Law Center. Network. 08 April 2011. .Sen, Anindya. “Do tougher penalties discourage drunk driving?” Policy Options (1999): 54-60. Print.Think Quest. “1.4 Underage Drinking – ThinkQuest.” Oracle Think Quest Foundation for Education. Network. April 8. 2011.