Many parents and educators often explain to teens the dangers of drinking and driving. Teens know that the consequences of driving drunk can be deadly. But, have they been taught to never take rides from impaired drivers? It’s equally important to teach kids this lesson as well. According to a poll sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk, Driving (MADD) and State Farm Insurance, one in three teens has knowingly accepted a ride from a driver under the influence of alcohol in the past year. Twenty-two percent of the drinking drivers were friends under 21. The poll results also showed that one in four teens is willing to ride with a driver who has been drinking.
If teens understand the importance of being sober behind the wheel, why are they taking rides from drivers under the influence? According to a recent study from Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Biobehavioral Health, it comes down to a teenager’s perception of their friends. The more a teen thinks their friends will disapprove of them riding with drunk drivers, the less likely they are to accept these rides. So, if those teens don’t think their friends will judge them for getting in the car with a driver under the influence, they are more likely to accept the ride.
Parents can step in by showing teenagers how to play an active role in their friends’ lives. This can be done by parents explaining to their teens how to disapprove of risky behavior, such as drinking and driving and taking rides from drunk drivers, even if that driver is a friend. If a teen passively approves or fails to act when their friends are getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, then deadly consequences can arise. According to MADD, in 2013, 378 youth ages 15-20 were killed as passengers of a drunk driver, and 202 (53 percent) of the deaths were a result of riding with an underage drunk driver.
Whether it’s the holidays, weekend or any typical night – parents should step in to make sure their teens understand the importance of positively influencing their friends.
