Almost 2,000 teenagers die each year from accidents caused by drinking and driving.
When the Bee Gees recorded "Stayin' Alive," they didn't really have prom night in mind. They sang about the dangers of the city. For parents of teenagers, prom night runs a close second. Almost 2,000 teenagers die each year from accidents caused by drinking and driving.
Prom nights have a disproportionate share of those statistics according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
It pays to warn teens not to drink and drive and not to get into a car with an underage drinker/driver. One classy solution to the problem is to rent a
limo. It's costly but not unreasonable for four or five couples to share. Or you can be the
chauffeur. Rent a big luxury car or a classy convertible, buy a chauffeur's hat, and do it yourself. But be professional. Provide a cooler with interesting soft drinks and remind your kid that he will have more fun if he doesn't have to do the driving.
If it's your daughter going to the prom, the same arrangement works. Or if they will attend an after-prom party, have them take a cab to get home.
When your teen insists on driving, limit the number of people who will be riding with him and insist that he be home by midnight. Statistics show that chances of being in an accident rise dramatically after midnight.
