Teens and Drunk Driving

Over 1/3 of all death for people ages 15-20 result from motor vehicle crashes and over 1/3 of these motor vehicle fatalities involved alcohol. This is why there is so much talk about teens and drunk driving. Teens make up 35% of alcohol related deaths. No matter how hard we try to protect our children, they may still be exposed to drinking while they are in high school. You may have done everything you can to teach them to care for themselves and others, but it only takes one weak moment for them to try a drink. There are parties when they get to school, get-to-know-each-other parties, fraternity parties, and friends just getting together to celebrate their newfound freedom.

When you think of teens and drunk driving, you may think of the kids at school that always get into trouble. This is where you may make your biggest mistake. Even the star athlete or the smartest kid in the class can fall victim to peer pressure. Remember the teenage mentality. Teenagers often think they are invincible and that nothing bad can happen to them. They may have heard stories about drunk driving, and the resulting deaths, but they still think the can overcome the odds. They often drive too fast and have inexperience in dangerous situations.

There are many films about teens and drunk driving shown in schools, but somehow the message just doesn’t get through. You may soon find yourself attending your child’s funeral, or hiring a lawyer if you don’t take the time to teach them yourself. The statistics regarding teens and drunk driving are frightening. This may be a good starting point when you talk to your child. Ask them for their feelings on the subject and let them know how worried you are for them.

Tell them under no circumstances should they be in a car with a person who has been drinking. Let them know teens and drunk driving do not mix, even if the person insists they are ‘fine’. Those are indeed famous last words. If there is an accident in your community, have your children attend the funeral. It may sound horrible, but this is one of the clearest ways to get the point across about teens and drunk driving. Let them see the total and true outcome. If it is someone they know, even causally, the message will hit home.

You may not be able to stop your child from trying a drink before they are of legal age, but you can try to stop them from allowing that to be a fatal mistake. Let them know that teens that are driving drunk are risking their lives, and if they have had a drink, they need to walk home, or call you. 

It may be hard to convince you that they must call you, but your child’s life is worth it. Let them know you love them, and understand people make mistakes, but that you don’t want them to make a fatal mistake. The more you educate them on teens and drunk driving, the safer they will be in the future. They will hear you, whether you think they are listening or not.