| "One out of 10 children ages 12 and 13 uses | | | | on getting behind the wheel, do not get into |
| alcohol at least once a month. In a single | | | | the vehicle. |
| year, 522 children under age 14 were arrested | | | | |
| for driving while intoxicated, (113 of them | | | | If you are going to an event where alcohol |
| were under 10 years old). 70 percent of all | | | | will be served, take public transportation |
| teenagers drink alcohol. 60 percent of all | | | | like buses or taxis, if possible. |
| teen deaths in car accidents are | | | | |
| alcohol-related. | | | | Regardless of your age, if you believe you |
| | | | may have a drinking problem, consult a school |
| According to the National Highway Traffic | | | | counselor, health professional, or an alcohol |
| Safety Administration, over 17,000 people | | | | support group (for example, Alcoholics |
| were killed in alcohol-related traffic | | | | Anonymous). |
| accidents in the United States last year, a | | | | |
| rate of one person every 30 minutes. Even | | | | In reaction to teenage drunk driving |
| more alarmingly, almost 1/3 of the 15- to | | | | statistics, states have enacted harsher |
| 20-year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle | | | | penalties to punish teens that drink and |
| crashes in the U.S. had been drinking. | | | | drive. Most states have adopted zero |
| | | | tolerance laws which make it a crime for a |
| Statistics show that approximately 70% of all | | | | teenager to operate a motor vehicle under the |
| teenagers drink alcohol, including 1 out of | | | | influence of any amount of alcohol. In |
| 10 children between the ages of 12 and 13. | | | | addition to harsh penalties for teenage drunk |
| | | | driving, it is also a crime in most states |
| Safeguards against Underage Drunk Driving: | | | | for a minor to drink, possess, transport, buy |
| | | | or even try to buy alcohol. Parents can be |
| Parents and older siblings must be aware that | | | | penalized for furnishing alcohol to minors, |
| they are role models to younger family | | | | especially in cases where teenage drunk |
| members, and should be cognizant of what kind | | | | driving was involved. |
| of examples they set in regard to both their | | | | |
| driving and drinking habits. | | | | Teenage drunk drivers also face some serious |
| | | | legal consequences that will harm them into |
| Restricting access to liquor and automobiles | | | | their adult lives. They face revocation of |
| at home may be an effective preventative | | | | their driving privileges, stiff fines, |
| measure in the short term, but it is even | | | | probation, alcohol education and treatment, |
| more advisable to confront your son(s) and/or | | | | and community service not to mention |
| daughter(s) about the serious risks involved | | | | potential jail/prison time for a severe |
| with underage drinking. | | | | offense. |
| | | | |
| Whether driving or riding as a passenger in a | | | | If you have been involved in a teenage drunk |
| vehicle, always wear a seatbelt! | | | | driving incident, you may wish to speak to a |
| | | | qualified attorney who can advise you of your |
| If you see vehicles that are speeding | | | | legal rights and options in a case. Because |
| excessively or swerving, try to get a license | | | | the laws vary by state and circumstance, a |
| plate number and call your Sheriff's Office, | | | | knowledgeable attorney can best help protect |
| the local or state police. | | | | your interests in a teenage drunk driving |
| | | | case. |
| If a person has too much to drink and insists | | | | |