Teenage Drunk Driving

While Prom Night is meant to be a night of friends and fun for high schoolers, it can have disastrous consequences as well. Prom night is one of the most dangerous nights for high schoolers due to the spiked use of drugs and alcohol. According to a poll by AAA, 41 percent of teens ages 16-19 said they or their friends would likely use drugs or alcohol on prom night. This statistic becomes even more dangerous when driving is involved, as it is for many students on prom night.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, with almost a fourth of those crashes being related to drunk driving. Many reasons why teenagers drive under the influence include them thinking they are able to drive despite intoxication or the fear of their parents. Many teens worry that they will get in trouble if they ask their parents for a ride and would rather drive intoxicated or get in the car with a driver who is under the influence. In the poll by AAA, 84% of teens would rather get in a car with an intoxicated driver then call their parents for help.

There are ways to stop someone from drunk driving for friends and parents alike. It is important to find other ways of transportation for the person and make sure they understand that they should use this. Calling taxis or Ubers are great alternatives of a designated driver. On prom night many groups use party buses as a fun way to get around without having to worry about driving under the influence, which is a relief for teens and parents. Although these options can be a little pricier, they can save a life.

It is also important that parents do not pressure teens so that they would rather drive home intoxicated than call a parent for help. Many teenagers feel pressured to drive in order to avoid calling their parents for help and getting in trouble or because they worry about missing their curfew. It is important that parents put a child’s safety first in a situation where they may have been drinking. No matter what the rules are in the teen’s family, it can save a child’s life if they know they can go to their parents for help.