|
Teens & Drunk Driving Prevention
Wise words from a smart 12 year old...
What do you think about alcohol and drinking? I'll sure give you my opinion! Alcohol and drinking are both terrible things, both of which you should never do. Why would you want to do such a thing, anyway? The world would be so much better without people getting drunk. There would be no more crashes from drunk drivers or other crazy schemes -- I bet none of us would love to be involved with. And I'll tell you this -- it's NOT cool at ALL. A lot of kids at my school say when they are old enough, they will start drinking and say they will be "cool," which happens to make no sense to me. Why would you need to start drinking alcohol just to be cool? All you kids -- teenagers and even adults out there... DON'T start drinking alcohol! It's very bad for your health! Alright, I have said all I can say for now, and I hope you listen to me, or at least make good choices in your life. Just remember to put alcohol and drinking at the bottom of your list, or better yet...not on your list at all. Put your dreams and goals at the TOP! -- Megan L.
December is National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month!
If you're the parent of a teen, it's likely that drunk and drugged driving is at the top of your list of concerns for your child. Many teens and their parents know someone who has been involved in or affected by a car crash involving an impaired driver-that is, a driver who had been drinking alcohol or using another drug that reduces the ability to drive safely. Sadly, some of those drivers are young people.
Sobering Statistics:
- Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of youth ages 15 to 201
- In 2000, 2,339 youth died in alcohol-related crashes—accounting for more than one-third of all youth traffic fatalities. Think of it this way—in some communities, that's how many students attend one high school!
- More than 60 percent of youth alcohol-related crash deaths occurred in rural areas-roads where traffic isn't even heavy.
The Good News:
- During the past 20 years, educational efforts, policy change, and legislation have helped reduce the number of youth alcohol-related fatalities. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that minimum drinking age laws have saved 20,043 lives since 1975. In the year 2000, these laws saved 922 lives.
- During the last 10 years, youth alcohol-related deaths have declined by 34 percent. In 2000, there were 1,218 fewer alcohol-related youth deaths than there were in 1990.
- The number of young people who died in a crash involving a young driver with a blood alcohol content at or above .10 has declined by more than 60 percent since 1982-from 2,763 to 1,076 deaths.
As good as this news is, there's still work to be done. Reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities is one of NHTSA's top priorities. The national goal is to lower the death toll for all ages to no more than 11,000 annually by the year 2005.2 This number may seem extremely high, but not when you compare it to the 16,000 people who were killed in 2000 as a result of alcohol-related crashes.
What to Do
Tell your child or any young person you care about that you do not want him getting into a car with someone who has had even one drink or who has been using illegal drugs. Marijuana and other illegal drugs can impair driving ability. (Keep in mind that even some over-the-counter drugs and other medications can impair driving ability.)
- Tell your child that you want her to call you if she can't get a safe ride home from a party or other event. Emphasize that you want her to call even if she herself has been drinking or using drugs (reassure her that, while you do not support this behavior, her safety is your first concern).
- Help young people plan substance-free events.
- If you host parties for young people, do not allow them to drink alcohol or use drugs. Do not serve alcohol, even to college students. Check on your young guests regularly to make sure that no one is sneaking alcohol or other illegal substances into your home. The legal consequences of allowing underage drinking and drugging in your home can be severe, especially if a minor is injured or killed during the party or after leaving your house.
- If one doesn't exist, begin a coalition to address underage drinking and impaired driving in your community. Write to your local paper and legislators to gain support.
- Be a good role model. If you have been drinking, don't drive. We all know that young people learn by example—don't send mixed messages.
Teens and Drunk Driving -- What Can We Do to Stop It?
Drunk driving is responsible for a large number of deaths, injuries and accidents every year all over the world, and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting any better either. When consumed, alcohol seems to take away any healthy fears or responsibilities that the person would probably have in their sober state. This problem needs to be nipped in the bud otherwise we're going to see an even bigger increase in the crisis with our teens and drunk driving related deaths, accidents and injuries.
Every parent does the best they can for their kids, but the bottom line is that once they get to those teenage years, many are more likely to go thorough a period where they are influenced by their peers rather than their parents. Unfortunately, many students are exposed to drinking at high school. There are some youngsters that seem to be constantly drinking and driving and never have an incident, whereas others have just one weak moment that ends in a driving catastrophe. I wish it wasn't the case, but teens and drunk driving related incidents are on the increase.
Drinking alcohol and driving a vehicle is a potentially deadly cocktail of events at any age, but statistically, teens and drunk driving is even worse. Whether drunk or sober, when a young driver gets behind the wheel of a car, many of them feel the need to make an impression on their passengers by driving erratically and at high speeds. We all know that 'speed' kills, but speeding cars plus intoxicated drivers is just asking for trouble.
Teens and drunk driving offenses are not just something the bad kids do either, as even the smartest, the most reserved, and the most unlikely of them all, can and do fall victim to peer pressure on occasions. Another problems with teens (and I can remember this too!), is that they think they are indestructible and nothing bad could ever possibly happen to them. Even with educational programs and available statistics, most still think these are things that only happen to 'other people.'
Remember, it's not always drunk drivers that become the killed or injured parties. Many innocent passenger, motorists, and bystanders can get caught up in accidents caused by a drunk driver too. So what's the answer? I guess, education, education, and more education on the perils of teens and drunk driving related incidences.
But I found a solution with my kids that seems to have worked wonders in installing a little sense and understanding into their growing minds. I made it an issue, a debate to be discussed, as opposed to a lecture on the dangers. It was also an education for me as a parent to realize that open discussion as opposed to laying down the laws was an effective way to communicate with adolescents and young adults.
By asking the boys for their feelings on the subject, and also letting them know how worried their mother and I were about this growing problem, I had us all sitting down and chatting for ages. We didn't speak at them, we discussed with them, and there is a big difference. What's more, we listened to what they had to say without interruption. I think that by the end of our conversation we had planted a seed of sensibility into their minds regarding teens and drunk driving.
Only time will tell, but we've found that by treating the kids as young adults instead of potential scoundrels has given both sides a little more mutual respect and that means they are more susceptive and less rebellious towards our ideals.
Set Rules for Your Children About Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal Drugs
Talking to your children about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs is an important step in keeping them safe and healthy. However, many parents neglect to take the next step: making sure that their children have clear rules about alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use. Unless you are clear about your position, children may be confused and thus tempted to use. Make sure you explain to them that you love them and are making these rules to keep them safe.
Here are some things to keep in mind when making and enforcing rules.
Be Specific
Tell your children the rule and what behavior you expect. For example, you could say, "You are not allowed to smoke cigarettes. Our family doesn't smoke because it's unhealthy," or, "Alcohol is for adults. The law says that you have to be 21 to drink. Our family follows the law." You might also tell your children that if they are at a party where alcohol or illegal drugs are being used, they can call you for a ride home.
Develop consequences for breaking any of the rules. If your children are old enough, they can help suggest appropriate and reasonable consequences. It may help to write up a list of rules and consequences for breaking each rule.
Be Consistent
Be sure your children understand that the rules are maintained at all times, and that the rules hold true even at other people's houses. Be sure to enforce the rule every time it is broken. It is important to set a good example; if you have a rule about drunk driving, make sure not to drive when you've been drinking or get in a car with someone who has. Children notice when their parents say one thing and do another. Another thing to think about, especially around the holidays, is that many of us use alcohol as a "special occasion celebration," perhaps allowing our children to have a sip of champagne or wine. This may also send mixed messages to your children, especially if you have a specific rule against drinking.
Be Reasonable
Don't change the rules in mid-stream or add new consequences without talking to your children. Avoid unrealistic threats. If you do find that your children have been experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs, try to react calmly and carry out the consequence you have previously stated.
Recognize Good Behavior
Always let your children know how happy you are that they respect the rules of the household by praising them. Emphasize the things your children do right instead of focusing on what's wrong. When parents are quicker to praise than to criticize, children learn to feel good about themselves, and they develop the self-confidence to trust their own judgment.
Please Visit Our Ad Sponsor:
Online Resource: Teen alcohol abuse information
Other articles about drinking and driving, located at My ParenTime's Family Community:
Visit the following Internet sites for more information on this topic:
Below are some books that discuss drinking and driving and keeping your children safe. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
Click here to read other articles by Andy Maingam.
Click here to read other articles by SAMHSA.
Resources:
1Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Youth Fatal Crash and Alcohol Facts 2000: DOT HS 809 406. January 2002.
2National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month Coalition. Last referenced 12/04/03.
Copyright © Andy Maingam ("Teens and Drunk Driving -- What Can We Do to Stop It?"). Andy is a proficient writer for KeepingCars.com where he has articles on radio controlled cars and the baby car seat. He also has many other auto related pieces on the site. Reprinted with permission.
Copyright © SAMHSA: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration ("Set Rules for Your Children About Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal Drugs," & "December is National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month!"). Reprinted with permission.
|