6 Ways You Can Help Keep Your Teen Safe From Drunk Driving This Holiday Season

As we're approaching the holiday season, we're inevitably approaching a time in which drunk driving becomes a prevailing issue. Unfortunately, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, car crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers.

Here are some stats according to M.A.D.D.:

1. Young people have the highest rates of traffic death and injury per capita among all age groups and the highest death rate per kilometer driven among all drivers under 75 years of age. More 19-year-olds die or are seriously injured than any other age group.

2. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16 to 25 year olds, and alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in 55% of those crashes.

3. 16-25 year olds constituted 13.6% of the population in 2010, but made up almost 33.4% of the impairment-related traffic deaths.

This shows a severe problem. It's a common belief that the teenage years consist of a struggle with identity; as such, teens can be susceptible to pressures from peers. In fact, at such an age it's not uncommon to see a stronger bond with one's peer group(s) than with family members. A decision to get into a vehicle with a peer under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol would be one in which the social pay-off would be perceived as greater than the risk. 

So what are some ways one can try to stop one's teen(s) from driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol? 

Michele Borba, contributor to Today.com, and parenting and education consultant, has this to prescribe:

1. Set clear rules against drinking: Teens of hands-on parents who set clear rules against drinking are 4-times less likely to engage in risky behaviour.

2. Put a no drinking and driving rule in writing: You can download a contract from Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) that can be useful. Signing such a contract will give your teen pause before he/she gets into a vehicle under, or with someone under, the influence of drugs/alcohol. Make a law that he/she will have their licenses taken away; but if they make the call to you for a ride, they can keep it.

3. Form an alliance with other parents: It's not uncommon for teens to attend supervised parties in which alcohol and drugs are freely available. Having a pact with other parents can reduce the likelihood of that happening.

4. Create a code with your teen: Many teens will not call for a ride out of embarrassment. With a code such as "I've got the flu," or a simple text of 1-1-1-1, they can call for help without losing face. The key is to pick them up immediately without questions asked over the phone--otherwise you'll lose their trust.

5. Don't keep alcohol around: Teens can easily access alcohol from home. If there's a problem with your teen accessing alcohol, don't keep it around at home. If you must have alcohol, keep it locked up and hide the key. 

6. Be in their lives: This is probably the hardest thing to do, but being hands-on and in relationship with them will keep you better informed of their comings and goings, what they're into, the friends they have, where they're going. It'll also help build trust for those times when they'll need to turn to someone for help and advice.