Nationally, about 1 in 4 teen car crashes involves an underage drinking driver. Prevention is the most effective way to stop our teens from getting into a car with drivers who are impaired. One strategy that we can do as parents is to help our teens build an “exit plan,” which is a strategy our teens can use to avoid getting in the car with a friend or family member who is under the influence.
Especially during this holiday season, lets find some time to explain to our teens that it is okay to say no when someone who is under the influence offers them a ride and help them identify an exit strategy. Here are some ideas SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You. campaign suggests:
- Call a rideshare service or a taxi
- Call a relative or a friend they trust and ask for a ride home
- Convince the person under the influence to find another way home and mention impaired driving is illegal and unsafe
Want to dive deeper into the sources?
Impaired Driving: Talk With Your Kids fact sheet – https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/factsheet_ed-impaireddriving_r6f_508c.pdf
SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign – http://www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/
For 24/7 free and confidential information and treatment referrals, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator at findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
