Graduation and Drunken Driving: A Parent's Worst Nightmare

MADD offers tips to help keep your new graduate and others safe during the graduation celebration this weekend.

Submitted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving East Bay:

In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed and more than 350,000 people were injured in a drunk driving crashes.

Graduation is a significantly more dangerous time for alcohol-related fatalities
especially among teens and young adults.

Heightened awareness and strong parent involvement can directly influence a young person’s decision making process and save lives!

On their website, MADD offers the following advice:

• Eliminate trips without purpose. 
• Limit passengers. Fatal crash rates for 16- to 19-year-olds increase fivefold when two or more teen passengers are present versus when teens drive alone.
• Restrict night driving. A teen driver’s chances of being involved in a deadly crash doubles at night.
• Establish a parent-teen driving agreement. Written agreements help set and enforce clear rules about night driving, passengers, access to the car, and more.
• Enroll teens in summer driving school. 
• Be there. Make sure your teen knows that if they need help, advice or a ride, they can call you at any time. Extend this offer often and let your teen know that you are always available, and that they will not be judged or punished should they need your help.
• Talk about alcohol.  Use our Power of Parents® handbook to talk with you teens about not drinking alcohol until they are 21 and never get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
• Buckle up. Insist on seat belts at all times and in all seating positions. Low seat belt use is one of the primary reasons that teen driver and passenger fatality and injury rates remain high.