Many students look forward to Thanksgiving weekend because it means that they get to take a break from their schoolwork and spend some time with family. Over the next few days, college students will be traveling throughout Pennsylvania on their way home.

But the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Division of Public Safety are focusing their efforts on drunk driving and underage drinking. Often the approach when addressing these types of issues is to increase the number of patrols out on the roads. And while Pennsylvania State Police may use safety checkpoints to target drunk drivers, PennDOT and DPS are taking a different approach.

PennDOT and DPS hosted an event at the University of Pennsylvania in an effort to promote awareness around the dangers of drinking and driving. They had people try fatal vision goggles, goggles that simulate what a drunk driver sees. There was also a moving memorial of victims of drunk driving accidents.

Those who attended the event or were passing by also learned a few statistics regarding alcohol-related crashes. More than 1,000 drunk driving accidents occurred right before Thanksgiving. Drivers who are arrested and convicted of drunk driving also face costs that can go as high as $10,000.

For students, getting in trouble for underage drinking may not seem like that big of a deal. But even though the legal penalties may not be as harsh as it would be for another type of crime, the consequences can be far-reaching. If you are a student and find yourself facing a drunk driving charge after this weekend, take steps to protect your future and speak with someone who can help you fight the charge.

Source: The Daily Pennsylvanian, "PennDOT and DPS team up against impaired driving," Diana Gonimah, Nov. 15, 2011