When college students flood their campuses at the beginning of fall for the start of classes, college towns once again fill up with their school-year resident population. Along with the boost that students provide to local college-town economies, there are also particular risks and hazards that come with hosting so many college students.

One particular risk that applies to college students is that of underage drinking and driving while intoxicated. But does drinking on college campuses affect the local rate of DUIs in towns that host colleges and universities?

DUIs in college towns

Studies have shown that around 80 percent of college students consume alcohol. Given the fact that not all college students are of legal drinking age, this puts many students at risk for underage drinking charges. It goes without saying that all students who get behind the wheel after drinking put themselves at risk for arrest.

There are several colleges that have particularly high rates of drinking on campus. Among these is North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, a city that was named in a survey as one of the top 10 hardest-drinking cities in the country. The study revealed that 23 percent of adults there reported binge drinking. It stands to reason that a city with a higher rate of binge drinking may be at a higher risk for drunk drivers.

What to do after a DUI

For many college students who get arrested for DUI, the arrest is their first encounter ever on the wrong side of the law. That being the case, college students often do not know where to turn or what to do after police arrest them. Many are not even aware that they can defend themselves against drunk driving charges.

A strong criminal defense can be the key for a student who does not want to ruin his or her college career and future career prospects. A DUI goes on a permanent criminal record and can be difficult to expunge later on, so the best defense is an early and strategic defense.