Officials with Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are encouraged by the results of a recent survey of high school students. The new survey indicates that more than 75 percent of these students do not drink alcohol. But the statistics of teenage drunk driving car accidents would suggest we still have a long way to go.
The results of this pull were released in accordance with Red Ribbon Week, a nationally-observed holiday that works to educate communities about the risks associated with drug and alcohol use among youth.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 1,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 who were involved in fatal drunk driving accidents in Boston and elsewhere. Not only did this number account for 20 percent of the total number of fatal accidents among this age group for the year, but it also served as a 2 percent increase from the previous year. And close to 90 percent of teens in high school who report drinking and driving in the past month also say they binge drank (had 5 or more alcoholic drinks within a couple of hours).
In the survey, close to 700 students from across the U.S. were recorded. The top reasons for why teens are not drinking are:
-Underage drinking is illegal.
-It has some dangerous effects on your health.
-It could lower school grades.
-Parents don’t approve of it.
-Students don’t want to be like others who drink.
But do we expect these teens to be completely truthful on these surveys? Many believe that there are many more underage drinkers than this survey suggests. Overall, high school teens drive after drinking about 2.4 million times a month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Help your teen steer clear of the dangers of underage drinking with these five steps:
-Think of yourself as a coach. Share information with them. Talk about their choices. Help them with tough situation before and after they happen. Cheer on your teen when they make safe and responsible decisions.
-Start communicating. Begin a series of conversations with your son or daughter, before he or she gets caught drinking.
-Keep an eye on your teen. Know where they’re going, who they’re going with, when they’re going and when they’re returning home. Make sure they get permission beforehand.
-Show some respect. With a respectful relationship, your teen is more likely to listen and obey.
-Be a good role model. Your teen will be most receptive to your guidance if you lead by example and act responsibly.
If you someone you love has been involved in a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Drunk Driving Accidents A Risk As Binge Drinking Remains Common Among High School Students, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, October 25, 2013
Massachusetts Traffic Safety: Keeping Drivers Sober through Football Season, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, October 20, 2013