With prom season right around the corner, it is more important than ever to take all precautions necessary to prevent alcohol-related teen driving fatalities. One-third of all of these tragedies occur between April and June, which is peak prom season, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Teen traffic deaths are at their highest during prom weekend, according to huffingtonpost.com. Approximately 300 teens have been killed in alcohol-related car accidents during prom weekend over the last few years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
It is important to have conversations with your teens about these dangers, according to a press release. Make sure to focus on the fact that you want your teen to have a memorable and fun prom. Teens’ brains’ are driven by impulse rather than reason, so talking to your teen before prom and other events such as senior parties and graduation can make all the difference. Driving under the influence and distracted driving are topics of conversation that parents should address with their teens.
If your teen finds themselves in a vulnerable environment involving alcohol, drugs, or any general situation that they are uncomfortable with, it can be helpful to create a secret code with them. For example, if you establish a text code for you and your teen, your teen can alert you that they are uncomfortable and would like to be picked up with a “no questions asked” policy.
Distracted driving can involve anything from texting to loud music to too many passengers in the car. Driving with two or more passengers increases the chance of getting into an accident on any night, especially prom night. Talk to your teen and establish rules about how many friends they are allowed to drive with and remember to emphasize the importance of staying focused on the road.
