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