How to Talk to a Teenager About Drunk Driving
Drunk driving among teenagers is more common than many parents think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 10 teenagers in high school has admitted to drinking and driving, and close to one million high school students consumed alcohol before operating a vehicle in 2011. Talking to teenagers about the dangerous effects of drunk driving is essential, especially since fatal crashes involving alcohol are one the leading causes of death among teens in the United States. Whether you think your teen is drinking or not, exposing her to the realities of drunk driving can empower her to make responsible decisions when socializing with friends.
Instructions
Provide facts and statistics about teenage drunk driving using trustworthy sources. The CDC and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are two of many esteemed organizations that provide up-to-date information about the subject. Locate the information you want to discuss and schedule a time to read through it with your teen. Use your sources to research the answers to your teen's questions and to clear up any misconceptions. Planned discussions help alleviate any uncertainties you have about what to say, and using reputable sources ensures that your teen is getting the real story. Discuss the correlation between drinking and impaired judgment. A person's ability to make responsible decisions diminishes drastically when drunk. According to the National Institutes of Health's website, Medline Plus, diminished brain function can occur within 10 minutes of consuming alcohol and peaks between 40 and 60 minutes of consumption. Talk to your teen about the effects that drinking can have on his ability to think clearly, see accurately and make sound decisions. Discuss the dangers associated with having diminished cognitive abilities while driving, such as delayed reaction and decreased motor skills. Talk about the number of teens who die or sustain severe injuries due to drunk driving. The CDC notes that alcohol use causes more than 4,300 deaths among underage youth each year, and tens of thousands of emergency room visits by kids under age 21 are due to conditions linked to excessive drinking. Let your teen know about the risk she's taking with her life if she drinks and drives or accepts a ride from an impaired person. Consider whether you know anyone personally who's suffered negative effects due to drunk driving, such as injuries resulting from a car accident or the death of a loved one. Introduce your teen to that person, if possible. Establish clear rules and consequences regarding alcohol use and driving. Remind your teen that underage drinking is against the law and is one of your household rules, and don't hesitate to punish her or take her car keys if she breaks the rules you've set. With your teen present, talk to the parents of her close friends about your views on underage drinking and driving so they'll know where you stand on the issue. Remind your teen that driving is a privilege, not a right, and it can be taken away from her at any time -- either by you or by the police.
