A major cause of death for teenagers in the United States is car accidents and far too many of these accidents involve drinking and driving. According to statistics, it’s four times more likely that a teen driver will be in an accident than it is for an adult driver. Teens and alcohol is a volatile mixture but when you add in a motor vehicle, it’s like playing Russian roulette with their lives.
There are several factors that make it more likely for a teenage driver to get in an accident while driving: peer pressure, inexperience and poor driving habits. Education and experience are the two main things to counteract these factors and parents should be focused on providing as much of both things as possible. This doesn’t mean just about driving, but also about alcohol use in general.
Peer pressure is something that every teenager deals with and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it can actually help a teen stay on the straight and narrow, depending on the group that they hang out with. However, most of the time, peer pressure is exerted by teens who commit risky behaviors, rather than positive ones. As a parent, it’s your job to make sure that they have the skills and confidence that they need to counter negative peer pressure.
Talking openly and frankly about things like peer pressure and drinking can go a long way towards protecting your child from peer pressure. Much of the mystique of drinking comes from not knowing and from seeing adults drink. By discussing the ins and outs of alcohol with them, it takes away the secret part and so doesn’t make them want it just to act “grown up”.
Inexperience isn’t a new driver’s fault – it’s just part of being a new driver. However, most states have a permit program specifically so your teen can get as much experience as possible with a more experienced driver before being out on the road alone. A driver’s education course, while not required in most places, is an excellent investment, especially if the course has a defensive driving portion. This will give your teen experience in a greater variety of driving situations, and how to handle the car in emergencies.
Driver’s education also helps to teach your teen safe driving habits, that will become a part of their routine if they are reinforced. As a parent, you should take a close look at your own habits to be sure your teen is seeing good driving habits from you, as well. Teens take far more from your example than they do from your words. This also included your outlook and habits when it comes to drinking and driving. If you never drink and drive, that is an example that will stick with them.
You should make sure that your child is educated on the effects of alcohol on both their reflexes and judgment, two things that are vital to safe driving. Even one drink can impair a driver. Teens also need to know the full penalties and dangers of drinking and driving. Many do not realize what could happen until it’s too late.