Teen Drunk Driving: Starting The Conversation
Since automobiles first started being mass produced intoxicated driving has been a problem
. With vehicles now traveling speeds well over the 45 mph max of the original Model T drinking and driving has become even more dangerous. With the combination of a teenagers limited experience driving a car and alcohol is even more deadly and is the reason behind 60% of teen auto accident fatalities.The legal drinking limit of 21 has saved quite a few lives since it was set into law in 1984 and drunk driving laws and patrols have decreased the number of incidents quite a bit. But where legislation fails parenting can fill the gap substantially.
Why teens drink and drive:
Peer pressure is the most common explanation for any teenage behavior. Out of the simple desire to fit in teens will wear certain clothes, listen to certain music, partake in specific activities and even experiment with drugs and alcohol. This peer pressure can even lead them to drive while intoxicated simply to get their friends a midnight snack.
The invincibility that teens feel can also trigger unsafe behavior. Teens often feel as though nothing bad can touch them- they are immortal in a way. In spite of seeing all of the car accidents and deaths to other teens practicing unsafe habits- they still engage in destructive behavior.
Teens may also drive after drinking out of fear of being caughtthey are afraid of their parents wrath and would rather risk the drive than call and confess their illegal actions.
Protecting your teen from drunk driving can be as simple as talking to them about the hazards. Statistics show that teens whose parents talked to them about alcohol are far less likely to consume alcohol at a young age.
Discuss your opinions
Alcohol and drug discussions should start early on in your childs life. Children are constantly exposed to representations of drug and alcohol use on TV and the media and can become dumb to the true nature of these drugs. If you start the conversation and discuss your opinions on drugs and alcohol early on your child will be raised knowing the expectations and save yourself from a senseless act of rebellion later on. The adage does stick thoughbetter late than never. So even if your child is in their teens you should start the conversation.
Set Rules
Rules and consequences for breaking them are vital to protecting your teen from drinking and driving themselves and being in danger of others driving intoxicated. According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohols alcohol studies teens are less likely to use and abuse alcohol if there are set rules and consequences in place for doing so.
Tips for making rules:
Rules and expectations Discuss your rules and consequences in advancemake sure your teen knows all these before they hit the road Consistency : be consistent in enforcing the rules- always follow through with the consequences Checking in- set a time for your teen to check in when they are away Know the friends parents- keep in contact with the friends parents.
When your child is attending a party, talk to the parents hosting and offer to provide snacks or supervision
Make sure your child can leave- Ensure that it is easy for your teen to leave a party where alcohol is present. If they are riding with a friend make sure they are comfortable calling home for a ride back
Listen to your intuition- if you have a gut feeling something is wrong- talk to your teen
Reduce the Risk
As parents we like to think our children are trustworthy, but realistically teens are not always honest and can bend the truth on more than one occasion to get their way. There are steps you can take to reduce the chance of dishonesty and having your child involved in a drunk driving accident.
Ask questions- Whenever your teen ventures out make sure you ask questions- who will you be with, what are you doing, when will you be home, where exactly will you be and how are you getting there and home.
Prevent house parties- Though you hate to think your children would throw a party in your house it is always a distinct possibility when you leave for a weekend get-away. Preventing parties is easy through a proactive method- when you leave town have a trust adult watching the house or your teen. You teen can stay with a relative or trusted friend or a neighbor can keep an eye on the house while youre away.
Check in- Call and verify the plans before your teen heads out Call the parents and make sure what is said to be going on is actually happening.
Contract for Life- Students Against Distracted Decisions (SADD) has produced a contract for life which both teens and parents sign. The contract is if your teen is at a party with alcohol or they are drunk they can call and be picked up by you and the conversation will wait until a later time with both sides have calmed/sobered up.
Have the Talk
Though talking to your teen about drunk driving can be awkward it is the best way to help prevent your child from being involved in a fatal drunk driving crash. Teens raised with a strong no-use message are far less likely to consume alcohol compared to those who never had the discussion. The talk, however, should not only be a one-time dealit should be a conversation started at a young age and continued thorough-out their adolescence.
You should share your views and opinions on drugs and alcohol at the young age and then later evolve the discussion to address the reasons why when they are able to understand a little better. Presenting the facts and statistics is very important when your child enters their tweens and teens and there are many resources available on the internet to help you with this.
by: Jason Epstein How Can I Make Sure I Have Or Conceive A Boy Baby Instead Of A Girl? Do You Fear A Divorce Because You Have An Autistic Child? Social Anxiety Disorder In Children - Anxiety Free Children Anxiety Disorder Medication - Anxiety Free Children Rich Presta Anxiety Free Children Review Vegetarian Safe For Kids Anxiety Treatment For Children - Anxiety Free Children Cure Anxiety And Panic Attacks - Anxiety Free Children Rich Presta Anxiety Free Children - Children's Anxiety Treatment Review Losing Your Temper Teaches Your Child Nothing How To Help Your Children Have A Variety Of Interests Yoga – Helping Kids and Teens manage Stress and enjoy a balanced life Child modelling agencies