Teens & Responsible Driving

     It’s officially spring and with spring comes warmer weather, singing birds, sunny days, blooming flowers, backyard BBQ’s and parties, parties, parties! While most people enjoy a good party, springtime brings parties that are especially fun for new high school and college graduates.

     In most states when someone becomes 18 years of age, they are legally an adult. But ask any teenager and they will tell you that the move that completes the transition from childhood to adulthood doesn’t happen until the day they graduate high school. They are 18 years old and an honest to goodness adult! Whatever path a teen set for their life, going onto college, heading out into the workforce, entering the military or just hanging around the house doing nothing, the choice is theirs!

     Speaking of choices, one of the BIGGEST choices a teen will make is whether or not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and drive, especially after they have been drinking. And make no mistake it is a choice you make! In Arizona, as in most states, the level of blood alcohol that defines you as being drunk is 0.08%. Just because most states say that your blood alcohol level needs to be 0.08% or higher to be considered legally drunk, any percentage of alcohol in your bloodstream will alter your ability to drive safely.

     In Arizona, the term “driving under the influence” (DUI) is used not DWI which means “driving while intoxicated”. Oh, and did you know you can be considered DUI from other things like the effects of prescription medication, illegal drugs, etc.? So, DUI doesn’t just mean you are under the influence of alcohol. Are you aware that Arizona also has a “not-a-drop” law that makes it illegal for motorists who are under the age of 21 years to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. This is commonly referred to as a “baby DUI.” According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in 2016, 2,433 teens in the United States ages 16–19 were killed and 292,742 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes. That means that six teens ages 16–19 died every day due to motor vehicle crashes and hundreds more were injured.

     Many people mistakenly think that drunk driving only applies to them only if they are the driver of a vehicle who is under the influence of alcohol or some sort of drug. No, it doesn’t! You may be completely sober, driving down the road minding your own business and be involved in a crash with another vehicle that is driven by a drunk driver! 

     So, what can you, as a teen do to make smart choices regarding drunk driving? Here are a few tips:

• Choose to never drink and drive.
• Refuse to ride in a car with a teen driver who has been drinking.
• Follow “rules of the road” in your parent-teen driving agreement.
• ALWAYS wear a seat belt on every trip, no matter how short it is.
• Obey speed the limit.
• Never use a cell phone or text while driving.

     What can parents do to help their teen make smart, educated choices? Here are a few great tips for you:

• Understand that most teens who drink do so to get drunk.
• Recognize the dangers of teen drinking and driving and that teen drivers are at much greater risk of crashing after drinking alcohol than adult drivers.
• Provide teens with a safe way to get home (such as picking them up or paying for a cab) if their driver has been drinking.
• Model safe driving behavior.
• Consider tools like parent-teen driving agreements to set and enforce the “rules of the road” for new drivers. Safe driving habits for teens include the following: 
  • Never drink and drive
  • Always wear a seat belt on every trip
  • Limit nighttime driving
  • Set a limit on the number of teen passengers
  • Never use a cell phone or text while driving
  • Obey speed limits

Rules that apply to your teen MUST also apply to you when you are driving. It is vital that you model the behind-the-wheel driving behavior you want your teen to follow. Another great thing to have between you and your teen is a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. This website address will take you to a downloadable agreement you can print out, discuss with your teen and then both of you sign committing to the agreement.