The Dangers of Teen Drinking and Intoxicated Driving

A lot of teens die in car crashes. In fact, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teenage death, far above shooting, suicide, or cancer. Despite a great deal of tax dollars spend on public advertising against drunk driving, it seems like almost every year, a community loses one of its teens to an easily preventable accident. Drinking and driving still happens because alcohol reduces inhibitions, and sadly, one of the inhibitions it reduces is your stance against drinking and driving. Your resolution needs to be rock solid so you can succeed in making the right call. There's really no secret besides constantly reminding yourself to not do it.

Besides driving drunk, there are other sorts of distractions that can cause major accidents while learning how to drive. Pot, prescription drugs, or cold medicine can cause similar effects. Drowsiness is another huge issue, as most teens don't get the sleep they need on a day-to-day basis. Also, the constant allure of electronics is a problem. Don't text and drive, don't mess with your smart phone, try to avoid excessive toying with the radio, and set up your GPS before you leave. Pull over if you need to!

Invite your parents to become involved. Take a defensive driving or driver education course, and tell them how it can often save money on insurance. Keep a checklist or complete a driving journal and talk about what you may have trouble with. Never allow distractions, drinking, or drug-use ruin your life! Utilize the following resources in learning about how to drive safely:

• CDC Vital Signs – Teen Drinking and Driving – This article presents statistics on teen drinking and driving, as well as what can be done about it.
• Fatal Crashes Involving Young Drivers – The Department of Transportation presents some blind statistics on teen crashes.
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Why 21? – Why is the drinking age such an arbitrary number? Because statistically it has reduced the number of teen drinking and driving fatalities.
• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) – Statistics – More statistics are listed including information on other types of impaired and distracted driving.
• Question and Answers About Underage Drinking – These are some of the common excuses parents and adults make about teen underage drinking – and their answers.
• American Psychological Association – There is actually a psychological and biological basis for teens acting impulsively, which can sometimes create a feeling of indestructiveness and lead to bad decisions.
• Alcohol and Neurotransmitter Interactions – As mentioned before, there is a biological basis for the reduced inhibitions that come as a consequence of alcohol. The mixture of teen impulsiveness and a reduction of inhibitions is a destructive one!
• Drinking to Excess: Adolescents and Alcohol – There are other negative effects of alcohol besides impaired driving. There are long-term negative effects on the brain and body.
• Myths and Facts about Alcohol – This flyer talks about the myths and facts about alcohol.
• Too Much, Too Soon, Too Risky – The Cool Spot presents some negative effects of alcohol.
• Dangers of Drinking – This brochure features facts about alcohol.
• Underage Drinking. Adult Consequences. – Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding consequences, jail-time, and fees regarding drunk driving. Some states are more intolerant. Others, like this North Carolina, have more average, but still severe, consequences.
• Juvenile Justice Bulletin – Effects and Consequences of Underage Drinking – This bulletin also lists other common consequences of underage drinking.
• A Snapshot of Annual High-Risk College Drinking Consequences – Once you go to college, it's OK to drink, right? Accidents, deaths, health problems, and drunk driving happen on college campuses too.
• Fake ID Brochure – Because each state has its own identification system, each state has its own laws about using and providing fake ids. However, conviction is often a result.
• Alcohol and Adolescent Development – This article produced by the Australian government features a map of the brain, and talks about how alcohol affects certain functional areas.
• Facts about Alcohol and Drug Abuse – Long term, short term, and mental effects are listed on this resource page.
• The Surgeon General's Call to Action – This guide has facts, recommendations, and consequences of teen drinking and driving.
• Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving – Older students and adults sometimes use the excuse of "I'm just buzzed" before getting behind the wheel. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
• VIDEO: Ad Council – Drunk Driving Prevention – This is a classic ad from 1983, but it still stands true. Friends don't let friends drive drunk!
• Binge Drinking – This article talks about the negative bodily effects of binge drinking.
• What is a Designated Driver Program? – Once you are old enough to drink, be sure to utilize designated drivers, and take that responsibility if you are one yourself.
• Drinking and Driving – Being a Friend – Sometimes, friends don't know what you know, and because of the nature of alcohol, they might be tempted to get behind the wheel. Step in, don't feel bad, and even if they are mad now, they probably won't be tomorrow.
• Signs of Intoxication – Don't get into a friend's car if they have been drinking!
• Underage Drinking and Driving Facts or Fiction – This is a true/false pop quiz about drinking and driving.
• Too Smart to Start Quiz – This is a great wrap-up resource! Test your knowledge about alcohol and driving.
• Teen Drugged Driving – This guidebook has a lot of resources, not just about drinking and driving, but about driving under the influence of marijuana, prescriptions, and other drugs.
• Ways to Say "No" To Alcohol – This tool has some tips and tricks on getting out of a negative peer pressure situation.
• DrugFacts: Drugged Driving – This article talks about "mind-altering drugs" and driving.
• Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Medications – If you start taking a new medication, don't drink and drive, but wait to see how the drug affects you and talk to your doctor before getting behind the wheel.
• VIDEO: Whoa Parent PSA – This PSA features 5 important rules to driving.
• What is Distracted Driving? – This article defines and points out possible distractions and gives key statistics.
• Tips for Preventing Distracted Driving – Ten things you can do when you get behind the wheel to avoid accidents when driving.
• Teaching Teen Drivers to Recognize Risks – This article has a great chart including some of the most common distractions for teens when driving. Passengers are very often an issue (intentionally or unintentionally).
• The Dangers of Texting While Driving – This article includes some major statistics on texting and driving.
• Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks. How Will You Stop Texting and Driving? – These are great tips for resisting the urge to look at and enter texts when driving. Hand your phone to a passenger, or find an app that will help you stop texting when you get behind a wheel.
• VIDEO: The Dangers of Drowsy Teen Drivers – Falling asleep at the wheel is incredibly dangerous, and can endanger other drivers as much as driving drunk.
• Drowsy Driving Prevention – Teens should be aware of the warning signs of drowsy driving, and know when to pull over for a short sleep when needed. Caffeine drinks are not the answer!
• Heads Up! Interactive Driving Game – This game tests your knowledge on how to drive without distraction.