Teen Drunk Driving & DUI
Prevention:
A Guide for Parents
Set the rules for your teen when it comes to driving a
car
Consumption of alcohol may be illegal for teenagers in the United States, but that
doesn't stop many from gaining access to wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages. Statistics show that
more than 70 percent of teens have had at least one drink by age
18. Parents are often a teen's best defense against drinking and
driving. Guardians who discuss the seriousness of drinking and driving can help reduce the risk of underage
drinking and DUI-related incidents.
It's important to set rules for your teen and thoroughly explain the consequences
of breaking these rules. Discuss the possible consequences of being caught while drinking and driving, including a
DUI on their driving record, losing their driver's license, or being involved in a fatal vehicle accident. A
2013 study by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of
those crashes involve an underage drinking driver.
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Parents can and must take steps to reduce the risk and
prevent teens from
driving under influence, with car crashes being the leading cause of death for
teens. |
Help prevent impared underage
driving
As teens often feel peer pressure from friends who drink, talk about potential
scenarios your teen may experience involving alcohol and how they can properly handle the situation. Talk about
what your teen should do if offered alcohol at a party or what to say if an impaired friend offers your teen a
ride. Other ways that you can help prevent impaired underage driving is to:
- Help your teen build friendships with other teens that do not
drink.
- Form an alliance with other parents to ensure that they do not serve alcohol
at their teen's parties.
- Promise your teen that you will pick him or her up from a party if needed, no
questions asked.
- Do not make liquor available to teens in your home. If you have liquor in
your home, lock it up.
As a parent, it's important to practice what you preach. Set a good example at
home for your teen by using alcohol responsibility. Do not drink excessively or use alcohol as a way to cope with
your problems. Ensure that your teen knows all the negative side effects of drinking, both physical and
emotional.
The effects of alcohol in the
body
It doesn't take a large amount of alcohol to feel its effects. As the liver can
only process one standard drink of alcohol (or one ounce of liquor) per hour, the faster you drink the more likely
you are to get drunk. If you consume more than this, the alcohol will accumulate in the body tissues and blood
until it can be metabolized by the body. The effects of alcohol in the body can also depend on other factors, such
as:
- Recent food intake
- Person's weight and size
- Individual metabolism rate
- The beverage consumed
Many teens turn to alcohol as way to fight boredom, especially during long school
breaks. Parents often don't know what to do to keep their teens occupied and out of trouble while unsupervised. One
strategy that can work is to arrange volunteer work or extracurricular activities that teens can engage
in.
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It's parents duty to drive responsibly and teach
their teens safe driving by example.
Using your smartphone while driving is an absolute 'no-no'. |
Keep your teens involved in
communal activities
Getting teens involved in community or neighborhood activities can not only help
keep them away from alcohol, but can also boost their motivation and work ethic. While some teens like
academic-related activities, others prefer community sports. Ask your teen if he or she would like to participate
in a summer sports program or camp. Other ways to keep your teen busy include:
- Have your teen become a tutor for another student
- Ask your teen if he or she would like to make money with a part-time
job
- Get your teen involved in photography or music
To reduce the risk of your teen drinking and driving, parents should set
boundaries relating to their teen's driving. Enforcing a curfew is an excellent way to restrict potential dangerous
driving situations. As most drinking parties occur during the evening or night hours, a curfew can help prevent
teens from drinking and driving.
If your teen continues his or her reckless behavior, it may be time to seek
outside professional help. The issues do not resolve by themselves and can often lead to dangerous outcomes, such
as alcohol poisoning or a DUI. Being proactive by getting your teen help can prevent these potentially serious
outcomes and help your teen change their behavior before it worsens.
Teen Drunk Driving Prevention Resources
Here are some helpful resources for DUI prevention, drunk driving law and related
subjects:
Drunk Driving Prevention Guide
Drunk Driving Law and DUI Prevention
DUI Facts and Statistics
Facts about Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Texting and the Dangers of Distracted Driving
Crime Prevention, Safety Resources and Law
Information
The Dangers of Texting While Driving
Safe Driving Guide for Newer Drivers
DUI, Health and Other Safety Sites
On the Road Safety Topics
General DUI Resources
DUI and Drunk Driving Law Problems and
Solutions
Alcohol and Drug Law and DUI Resources
Consequences of Driving Under the Influence
Teen Prescription Misuse
Prevention
Teen prescription drug misuse can often fly under the radar of adults.
We created this guide to educate people on ways to help identify, and more importantly, prevent, teens from
misusing prescription medications. Topics covered include:
-
Facts about teen drug misuse and teen drug use statistics
-
Teen prescription drug misuse mental and physical symptoms
-
Scripts and conversation starters for parents on talking to their teen
about drug use
-
and much more ...
You can explore the guide for yourself here:
How to Prevent and Deal With Teen Prescription
Misuse
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