According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving rates are highest amongst individuals who are 21 to 25. In 2012, over 10,300 people died as a result of car accidents caused by drunk driving. Drunk driving is a behavior that places a driver, passengers, pedestrians and other drivers on the road at risk. As a parent, you can inform your pre-teen or teenager of the risks of drunk driving and help them make better choices. By giving your children some simple pieces of advice, you can feel more confident that your children will make the right choice in a difficult situation that poses the temptation to consume alcohol before they are legal, and the concerns of under-aged drinking and driving.
Discuss How to Find a Ride Home
Helping your teens prepare for the peer pressures that they will face is the best thing you can do as a parent. You should help your teens anticipate the scenario in which he or she may need a ride home from a party in which friends have been drinking. You should discuss the importance of finding a designated driver when one has been drinking or one's friends are under the influence of alcohol.
Spend the Night at a Party
Another option that you can discuss with your children is spending the night at the host's party. You can always tell your teenagers that spending the night is a possibility if they are in a safe location. It's always best to be cautious and know who your child's friends are, and their families. As a parent, safety should always be your biggest concern.
Call a Cab
You may also provide your teen with a gift card that he or she can use for a taxi service. Calling a cab can always be an option for a teen who does not have any sober friends or is not sober and able to drive.
Calling Parents for a Ride
You should also make it clear that your teens can always call you for a ride. Telling your teens that there will be no consequences for a phone call home is always a great idea. By approaching the topic of drunk driving in this positive and honest manner, you can protect the lives of your children and increase the likelihood that they will call you in a time of need.
DUI Laws in the U.S.
In the U.S., drunk driving is an illegal offense and carries civil and criminal penalties. In most states, the legal limit of intoxication is 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. If your teen is arrested for drunk driving, he or she may be sent to jail or need to perform community service hours. A drunk driving attorney, can help your son or daughter when he or she has been arrested for drunk driving.
In any case, it is always best to discourage teens from drinking. Keeping an open and honest relationship with your teen is the best way to encourage healthy habits, and no under-aged drinking.