How to Keep Teens Safe on Prom Night

As I look back at my high school years, prom night was one of my most memorable experiences.

I remember helping to decorate the venue and my mom making my dress. Those were the days.

Every year, high school students plan and prep for their upcoming prom. They need to find the right dress, find the right date and attend the after party. It’s intended to be the best memory of high school, yet sadly for some, the party ends in tragedy.

According to the CDC, ten teens die every day from injuries sustained in car accidents.

An article, by The Huffington Post, reports these startling facts:

• “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for the past several years during prom weekend, approximately 300 teens have died in alcohol-related car accidents.”
• “Also according to the NHTSA, one in three children under age 21 who died in alcohol-related accidents died during prom and graduation season.”

NHTSA  has also stated that more than one-third of youth under the age of 21 killed in alcohol-related fatalities in 2001 died during the months of April, May, and June – prom and graduation season. Approximately 33% of traffic deaths of 15-to 20-year-olds are alcohol-related.

Prom and graduation season is approaching. It is important that parents, schools, and teens educate themselves about the dangers of drinking and driving.  Have prevention strategies in place for your teen.

Prom night is about teens having fun and creating lasting memories. We want to keep our kids safe. Here are some statistics to keep in mind from Edgar Snyder & Associates.

• More than 90% of teens believe their fellow classmates will likely drink and drive on prom night. 
• Only 29% believe that driving on prom night comes with a high degree of danger.
• 36% of teens said their parents have allowed them to attend parties where alcohol was present and available.
• 14% of teens say their parents have hosted teen gatherings with alcohol.
• Finally, 54% of students drink more than 4 drinks on prom night.

It’s the simple truth that some teenagers will engage in underage drinking at this traditional high school event.

The thing is drinking and driving isn’t just about prom night.  It is an issue that affects families every single day.

What Parents Can Do to Keep Kids Safe

• Discuss prom night rules with your teen. Have a copy of the prom night schedule with the prom’s start and end times. Also, have the details of any pre-and post-prom events. Be sure to include the dangers of drinking and driving.
• Have your teen sign your own pledge with rules that include remaining alcohol-free during prom night or have your teen sign the Safe & Sober Pledge to commit to safety on prom night.
• While it is costly, one option is to hire a limousine for prom night. Be sure to ask about the limo service’s policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle. If that is too expensive, maybe a trusted relative could drive the students.
• Do not allow your child to attend parties that will be serving alcohol to minors.
• Make sure your teen has a cell phone for the night in case of an emergency. Have mandatory check-in times for your teen during prom night.
• If your teen needs help because their driver has been drinking, encourage them to call you – no questions asked. It is better to be safe than sorry.
• Don’t even consider hosting a party where alcohol is served to teens. You could face serious fines and even jail time in many states.
• Be sure your teen has extra money for cab fare if they are in an uncomfortable situation or if the designated driver isn’t driving safely.
• While it may be a challenge, stay awake until your teen returns home from prom night even if it means that you have to stay up all night.
• Finally, remind your teen that the number one killer of teenagers is car accidents.

Being a teen can be tough. Just try to surround yourself with really good friends that really have your back, and also be a really good friend to those who really care about you. If you’re not sure about certain things, talk to your friends that you trust and your family. ~ Victoria Justice

What Schools Can do to Keep Prom Safe

Here is one idea: According to Keep Schools Safe  Madison, Central High School in Madison, Mississippi staged a mock car accident to remind students about the dangers.

Online Madison reported that:

“A mock accident was staged at Madison Central High School as part of the school’s safety week leading up to prom night this Saturday.

Bradley Martin, a senior at MCHS took part in the wreck simulation on the school’s campus, being carried out of an overturned vehicle and airlifted by a medical helicopter as his fellow students watched from behind yellow caution tape.

The staged event was put on to help encourage students to make wise decisions when driving.

“Even though it was only acting, it was pretty serious,” Martin said. “If you drink and drive it’s very easy that this could happen. I hope it will make some people think.'”

Students Against Destructive Decisions  (SADD)  has a link to a guide to review your school’s drug and alcohol policy, along with templates, planning guides, and other resources. The information can be found in the Think About It … Prom & Graduation Season campaign.

Also, according to a study conducted by Ryan Smith at Virginia Tech, the most successful program in reducing high-risk behavior was a school-sponsored after-prom party, followed by a school-wide assembly with an anti-drug message, both of which significantly reduced the amount of high-risk behavior on prom night.

What Teens Can Do to Keep Prom Safe

• Arrange for safe transportation before prom night arrives.
• Avoid driving if you can. Get a group of friends together and rent a limo, or ask an adult relative to act as your chauffeur if a limo isn’t in your budget.
• Understand the dangers of underage drinking and driving. Never drink and drive or ride with someone who has been drinking. Have a backup plan ready just in case.
• Text, talk on your cell phone or use other mobile devices only while you are NOT driving.
• Attend after-prom parties where alcohol will not be served.
• Do not drink anything that has been previously opened.
• Look out for their friends and stay together.
• Do not give in to peer pressure to drink or use drugs.
• Realize the importance of driving defensively on a night when the accident rate is high.
• If you are driving, wear your seatbelt and be sure everyone in your car has on their seat belt as well.
• Respect your parents or guardians’ concern about your safety at the prom.
• Have fun and protect your future by being safe.
• Bottom Line – Don’t drink (or drug) and drive.

Marijuana

Marijuana is an additional issue with teens.

From the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: 41% of teen marijuana smokers say they began before the age of 15.

In addition, drug use can also cause accidents while driving. There is a higher accident risk if your teen is impaired because they have smoked marijuana.

My hope is that all teens have a fun prom night, that they stay safe and bring home only happy memories!

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What are your thoughts on prom night? What other precautions could families, teens, and schools take to better protect kids? Let us know in comments. 

Thank you for all you are doing to help your child grow and mature.

Are the parent of a struggling teen? Apply for a Wellness Breakthrough Session. I will help you find clarity, recovery, and hope. With love, Cathy