According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 10 high school teens drinks and drives. Although drunk driving is dangerous for all age groups, young adults between the ages 16 and 20 are 17 times more likely to die in a collision if they have a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
According to TODAY, alcohol-related crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. These accidents are particularly common on certain occasions such as prom weekend.
If your teen is planning for prom, it is important that you take steps to ensure that he or she will not drive under the influence. Drunk driving is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal – and a DWI conviction can affect your child’s job prospects, freedoms, and even the cost of his or her college tuition.
If your teen winds up facing DWI charges, contact Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law. Mr. DeUrso is a DWI lawyer in White Plains who will investigate the arrest to identify all potential defense strategies. Schedule a consultation today by calling 914-772-8614.
Let’s take a look at four ways you can prevent your teen from driving drunk on prom night:
- Talk to Your Teen
In a perfect world, your teenager would not be drinking at all, but even the most responsible teens might break the rules on prom night. Talk to your child about the dangers of drinking in general and the importance of knowing his or her limits.
Then, discuss the risks associated with drinking and driving. As a parent, it is your responsibility to acknowledge that your children may come into contact with alcohol at some point during their adolescence, and it is up to you to prepare them for it. If you are concerned about your teenager drinking and driving on prom night, communication can go a long way.
- Secure the Liquor
If teens do not have access to alcohol, they cannot drive while intoxicated, so make sure you secure all the liquor in your home. Teenagers often get alcohol from their parents’ liquor cabinet or from their friends’ homes, so lock up the liquor, and remind your older children that buying alcohol for a minor is illegal and irresponsible.
- Consider Hiring a Limo
If a few of your teenager’s friends chip in, hiring a limo for the evening will actually be fairly affordable. It will also ensure no one has to drive after prom.
- Join Forces with Other Parents
Discuss the dangers of drunk driving with your child’s friends’ parents. They should be just as proactive as you when it comes to safeguarding their kids from drunk driving.
Unfortunately, teenagers make mistakes, and if your child winds up facing DWI charges, it is important that you take immediate action. Your first call should be to a criminal attorney.
Darren DeUrso is a DWI lawyer in White Plains who will give your child’s case the personalized attention that it deserves. Call 914-772-8614 to schedule a free initial consultation. If you would like to learn more about DWI defense strategies in New York, visit dui-lawyers.usattorneys.com/new-york.