How to Keep Your Teens from Drinking & Driving

Stopping teens from drinking and driving means using different ways to keep them safe. Start by talking openly about the dangers and set clear family rules.

Teach them how to handle peer pressure and show them how to be responsible. You can use apps to check their driving. Suggest using ride-sharing services or having a designated driver.

Get to know their friends and be part of their social lives. Learn about state laws and talk about the consequences of risky actions. Create a supportive home where teens feel safe to talk about their concerns.

These steps help keep them safe.

Lay Out the Consequences

Underage drinking and driving are very dangerous for teens. It is not just about getting into trouble with the law; it is also about staying safe. In places like Colorado, there are strict rules about this. If you are under 21 and have any alcohol in your system while driving, you can get in a lot of trouble. You might have to pay a fine or lose your driver’s license. These rules are there to keep you safe and to stop teens from driving after drinking.

Drinking and driving doesn’t just affect you; it can hurt other people too. It can change your whole life. That’s why it is so important to know what can happen.

Parents and guardians should talk to teens about these dangers in a caring way. They should help them understand why it is important not to drink and drive. By knowing what can happen, teens can make better choices and stay safe when driving. This helps create a safer environment for everyone on the road.

Lead by Example

Parents have a big role in shaping how their teens think about alcohol. They do this by acting responsibly and making their home a safe place without alcohol. When parents choose not to drink in front of their teens, they show that drinking is serious and can have consequences.

A home without alcohol helps keep teens from wanting to try it. It shows that safety and health are important. This way, there is less chance of teens drinking before they are old enough and they learn to follow rules and understand what can happen if they drink.

Parents’ actions have a strong impact on what their teens decide to do. When parents choose not to drink when they need to drive, it shows they are responsible. Parents who act how they want their teens to act make it easier to talk about alcohol. This trust helps teens learn more about drinking and driving safely.

Teach How to Manage Peer Influence

Helping teens handle peer pressure is important for making safe choices about drinking alcohol. Teens often listen to their friends, so they need tools to make smart decisions. Talking openly is key. It helps build trust and lets teens share their thoughts and problems. Parents can help by setting rules that keep teens safe.

• Talk often and openly about the dangers of drinking alcohol.
• Encourage joining activities like sports or clubs that have good role models.
• Set clear rules and consequences for risky choices.
• Watch who they hang out with to make sure they have good friends.
• Show how to talk and solve problems in everyday life.

Technology for Safety

Technology can help keep teen drivers safe by using special tools like apps and devices. For instance, there are apps that watch how teens drive and can let parents know if there are any risky behaviors. This way, parents and teens can talk about safe driving habits.

Another important tool is the ignition interlock device (IID). This device makes drivers blow into it before starting the car. If it detects alcohol, the car won’t start. This helps prevent impaired driving and keeps teens safe.

Get to Know Their Friends

Understanding your teen’s friend group is important for keeping them safe and away from alcohol. Teens often listen to their friends, and this can affect their choices about drinking. As a parent, knowing who your teen hangs out with and what they do together can help.

It is good to support friendships that encourage smart choices, like not drinking and driving.

• Check on after-school plans to make sure your teen is doing safe things with friends.
• Set a curfew that matches your family rules and helps you keep an eye on your teen.
• Talk openly about how friends can influence choices and behavior.
• Invite your teen’s friends over so you can get to know them better.
• Teach them how to deal with peer pressure and make smart decisions.

Communicate Openly

How well do you talk with your teen about alcohol and driving drunk? It is important to have open talks to understand how peer pressure and friends can affect their choices. Good communication helps parents set clear rules and positively guide their teen’s decisions. By being supportive, you can talk about what might happen if they make poor choices about alcohol.

Having real conversations lets teens share their thoughts and worries. This makes them more open to advice from parents. Knowing how friends affect them can help plan ways to deal with tough situations. It is important to talk without judging, giving them the facts and tools to make smart choices. This helps your teen handle life with confidence and responsibility, which can help stop drinking and driving.

Enforce the Rules

To help teens make safe choices about alcohol, parents need to set clear rules and follow them. 

• Set Clear Rules: Tell your teen the household rules about drinking and what will happen if they break them.
• Stick to the Rules: Always follow through with the consequences if rules are broken.
• Be a Good Example: Show your teen how to handle alcohol responsibly.
• Talk Openly: Make it easy for your teen to talk about their friends and any pressure they feel to drink.
• Reward Good Choices: Praise your teen when they make smart choices about alcohol.

These steps help create trust and understanding between parents and teens. By being clear and consistent, you can guide your teen to make safer choices about alcohol and driving.

Know Your State Laws

Learn about your state’s laws on underage drinking and driving so you can help protect your teen from the legal consequences. These laws differ from state to state and can affect your teen’s future.

Many states have a zero-tolerance law for teen drinking, which means any amount of alcohol in the blood can cause serious trouble. These laws make it clear that drunk driving among teenagers is not allowed.

If a teen is caught driving under the influence (DUI), they face big penalties like large fines and losing their driver’s license. These punishments are meant to stop teens from drinking and driving and show how important it is to drive safely and without the influence of alcohol.

Besides state penalties, families might also have their consequences to show how serious this is.

Talk to your teen about these issues to show them the real dangers of drinking underage and how important it is to follow state laws. By learning about this, you can help your teen make smart choices and avoid the long-lasting effects of a DUI.

Your advice is important in helping them understand legal rules and be responsible for their actions.

Promote Safe Driving

To keep teens safe while driving, we need to teach and remind them about good driving habits. Safe driving is important to stop teenage drinking and driving, which can cause crashes and deaths. Parents have a big role in this by talking openly with their teens and setting clear ground rules.

• Teach teens about the law: Let them know the rules and what can happen if they drink and drive.
• Use an ignition interlock device (IID): This gadget is put in a car to stop it from starting if it detects alcohol. It helps keep teens from driving after drinking.
• Suggest defensive driving classes: These classes help teens learn how to handle tricky driving situations and avoid accidents.
• Talk about the effects of crashes: Explain how crashes can hurt people and cost a lot of money, showing why making smart choices is important.
• Keep talking about safe driving: Regular chats about the dangers of drinking and driving help teens feel informed and supported.

Recognizing Warning Signs

Spotting the early signs of alcohol use in teenagers is important for helping them stay safe. Knowing these signs can keep your teen from driving after drinking, which lowers the chance of drunk driving accidents and deaths.

Watch for changes in their behavior, like new moods or friends, which might mean they are around alcohol more.

Look out for slipping grades, being secretive, or hanging out with different friends. These can be clues that your teen might be drinking. Physical signs like red eyes, smelling like alcohol, or talking funny can also show they’ve been drinking.

It is important to know that alcohol affects how fast a teen reacts and makes decisions, which is important if they are driving.

Talk openly with your teen about their feelings and what they’re going through. This helps them feel supported and understood.