TALKING TO TEENS ABOUT DRIVING
Instilling safe driving habits in your teen shouldn't be a bore for them or for you-- here's how to make them aware of road safety and the risk of drunk driving.
Young adults in the U.S. can't legally buy or drink alcohol until they are 21, which makes teen drunk driving statistics all the more sobering. One in five teenage drivers involved in fatal crash in 2010 had ingested alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and nearly one million high school teens drank alcohol and drove in 2011. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers are also far more likely to have alcohol-related accidents. Roughly one in four teens reported recently riding with a driver who had been drinking.
Through example, joint discussion and clear rules, you can reduce the danger for your teen. Here's how to help prevent underage drinking and driving:
GET HELP TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) offers conversation starters and tips on its website. Find ways to connect with and educate your teens, including a Parent/Teen Contract to help establish family driving rules.
SET AN EXAMPLE. Drinking and driving is just as illegal for adults as for teens. If you have a couple of drinks at dinner, hand the keys to a licensed family member or friend who hasn't been drinking. It reinforces the idea that drinking and driving dont mix.
DISTRACTIONS: SEATBELTS: ALWAYS. No texts, phone calls or GPS changes while driving. And seatbelts are mandatory.
HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN. Make it clear that you'll always provide a no-strings-attached ride home, or pay for a cab, if your teen does drink or is out with someone who consumed alcohol.
GET EDUCATED. Enroll in our Smart Driving School www.smartdrivingschools.com we give Teen SMART lectures and instructions in our Teens Drivers Education class and Individual behind the wheel driving lessons. We teach defensive driving.
Call Us Today @ 206 226 6783 To Enroll
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