Talking to your Teen about Drinking and Driving
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Drunk driving is the number one killer of
people aged 15 to 24. That’s why it’s important to take extra steps to
keep your teen from driving drunk. It may take extra time and a bit of
courage, but you may be saving the life of your child or someone else’s
child.
Start early. Just because your teen can’t drive doesn’t mean they don’t
need to learn about drunk driving. If you make your opinion clear to
them before they start driving, it’s more likely to stick. This will
also help your younger teens make correct decisions when offered a ride
by a drunk driver.
Teach them about consequences. Most people make it clear to their teens
that driving drunk could kill them and others, but they don’t detail
what could happen to them if they get caught. Find out the drunk driving
laws in your state and explain them to your teen. Remind them that a
drunk driving conviction cannot only land them in jail, but also prevent
them from getting a quality job and in a worst case scenario can kill.
Let them know they can come to you. Let your teen know they can come to
you for a problem. If your child calls you drunk, you’re first urge is
probably to yell and scream at them for drinking. However, if your child
feels harassed when they call you for a ride, they’ll probably never do
it again. They should be punished, but let them know they made a good
decision in calling you.
Encourage them to get involved. Most schools have organizations that try
to deter drunk driving. There are clubs such and SADD (students against
drunk driving) or services that give drunk teens rides home. A message
coming from their peers is more likely to stick than one coming from
you.
Be an example. Once you’ve talked to your teen; you need to follow
through by not drinking and driving yourself. Even if you have only
drank a little bit and feel you’re capable of driving, give someone else
your keys. Children tend to follow their parent’s example.
You can’t make decisions for your teen, but you can help them make good
choices by talking to them early and often about not drinking and
driving.
