How To Prevent Your Teen From Becoming Another Drunk Driving Statistic

This is a guest post from Lauren McDowell on the topic of teen drunk driving. 

Coming across underage drunk driving statistics can be a scary experience for any parent.

According to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17% of deadly alcohol-related crashes involved drivers under the age of 21.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC says 1 in 10 high school teens drinks and drives.

Sure, the figures don’t seem that high, but if you’re a parent, would you take any chances with your child? Would you sit by and let your teenager become another drunk driving statistic?

Of course, the answer to both questions should be a resounding “no.”

As a parent, there is so much you can do to stop your teenage loved one from getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol. From involved parenting to ignition interlock device installation, here are some tips that will help prevent your teen from driving drunk.

Set an example

As with any disciplinary measure imposed at home, parents must always be the role models for their kids. “Do as I say, not as I do” will no longer fly in this day and age.

You can start by making your home an alcohol-free zone—no more stocking up on beer in your fridge. If you have a liquor cabinet, do your best to keep it empty.

If you’re the type who drinks occasionally, the least you can do is make sure you don’t do it in front of your kids. You should also never let them see you coming home drunk.

Make it clear to your child that they’re not allowed to drink

Your teenager should know that it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol.

There are also zero-tolerance laws in every state that punish teenagers caught driving under the influence. Under such laws, even a small amount of alcohol in their system can get them arrested and charged with underage DUI.

According to the NHTSA, nearly 30 people die every day in drunk-driving crashes, so make sure your teenager is aware of this, too.

Cite all of the above when you drive home the message that they’re not allowed to drink under any circumstances.

Let your child know you’re serious.

It’s one thing to tell them not to drink. Making sure they know how serious you are in enforcing that no-drinking rule is an entirely different thing.

Active monitoring is an excellent way of driving your seriousness about the no-drinking rule home. Always be there when they get home from a party or an activity, so you can check whether they’ve had a drink or not.

Hugging them is a way to sniff for the unmistakable smell of alcohol. Look into their eyes to check for redness. A little small talk, and you can check if they’re slurring a little. The sight of them chewing gum or mints to disguise the smell of alcohol can also be a red flag.

Know who your teen’s friends are

Encourage your kids to make friends with people who don’t use alcohol. However, if they befriend other teenagers known to drink, set up rules about how they spend their time after school to limit their interactions with their alcohol-using friends.

Educate your teen about handling peer pressure.

Even if your teen has professed a strong dislike for alcohol, it’s still possible for them to give in to peer pressure.

Peer pressure can make your teenager accept a beer or two from a friend. Even if your child refuses to drink alcohol, a drunk friend insisting on driving him or her home could turn into a disaster.

Everyone faces peer pressure, and it’s best to equip your child to handle it. You can help your kid make up excuses, which may include:

• “I have a big test tomorrow.”
• “I’m babysitting in the morning.”
• “I’m good,” while holding up a non-alcoholic drink.

Of course, the best excuse is saying you’ll be in so much trouble with your strict parents if you drink or take up a drunk friend’s offer for a ride home.

Prepare a contingency plan for prom.

There are several things you can do to reduce the likelihood of drinking and driving on prom night, which many teenagers see as an opportunity to sneak in alcohol and get drunk.

You can hire a limo, so your child and her friends can go to the prom and get home safely. A ride-sharing service would be a great idea, too.

If you can convince an older sibling to be your teenager’s designated driver for the night, go ahead with it. However, your prom participant might have something to say about that.

Install an Ignition Interlock Device in the car if needed.

Let’s assume that despite everything, your teenager still ends up drinking, and regularly at that.

It’s an unfortunate situation, but you can still prevent your teen from driving drunk by voluntarily installing an ignition interlock device or IID in the vehicle he or she uses regularly.

With an IID, your teen won’t be able to start the car if he or she breathes into the device and is found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above a preset limit, typically 0.02%.

These are some of the ways you can keep your teen from driving drunk. Waste no time and apply them as soon as you can to keep your loved one safe.

About the Author

Lauren McDowell is the Content Marketing Strategist for Interlock Install, a Phoenix-based company that performs the installations, service appointments, and removals for ADS Interlock. When not writing, she attends book clubs and enjoys reading stories to her kids.