If you're the parent of a teen, it's likely that drunk and drugged driving is at the top of your list of concerns for your child. Many teens and their parents know someone who has been involved in or affected by a car crash involving an impaired driver-that is, a driver who had been drinking alcohol or using another drug that reduces the ability to drive safely. Sadly, some of those drivers are young people.

Sobering Statistics:

• Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of youth ages 15 to 20 ¹
• In 2000, 2,339 youth died in alcohol-related crashes—accounting for more than one-third of all youth traffic fatalities. Think of it this way—in some communities, that's how many students attend one high school!
• More than 60 percent of youth alcohol-related crash deaths occurred in rural areas-roads where traffic isn't even heavy.

The Good News:

• During the past 20 years, educational efforts, policy change, and legislation have helped reduce the number of youth alcohol-related fatalities. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that minimum drinking age laws have saved 20,043 lives since 1975. In the year 2000, these laws saved 922 lives.
• During the last 10 years, youth alcohol-related deaths have declined by 34 percent. In 2000, there were 1,218 fewer alcohol-related youth deaths than there were in 1990.
• The number of young people who died in a crash involving a young driver with a blood alcohol content at or above .10 has declined by more than 60 percent since 1982-from 2,763 to 1,076 deaths.

As good as this news is, there's still work to be done. Reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities is one of NHTSA's top priorities. The national goal is to lower the death toll for all ages to no more than 11,000 annually by the year 2005.² This number may seem extremely high, but not when you compare it to the 16,000 people who were killed in 2000 as a result of alcohol-related crashes.

What To Do

• Tell your child or any young person you care about that you do not want him getting into a car with someone who has had even one drink or who has been using illegal drugs. Marijuana and other illegal drugs can impair driving ability. (Keep in mind that even some over-the-counter drugs and other medications can impair driving ability.)
• Tell your child that you want her to call you if she can't get a safe ride home from a party or other event. Emphasize that you want her to call even if she herself has been drinking or using drugs (reassure her that, while you do not support this behavior, her safety is your first concern).
• Help young people plan substance-free events. Visit Have a Safe and Sober Holiday.
• If you host parties for young people, do not allow them to drink alcohol or use drugs. Do not serve alcohol, even to college students. Check on your young guests regularly to make sure that no one is sneaking alcohol or other illegal substances into your home. The legal consequences of allowing underage drinking and drugging in your home can be severe, especially if a minor is injured or killed during the party or after leaving your house.
• If one doesn't exist, begin a coalition to address underage drinking and impaired driving in your community. Write to your local paper and legislators to gain support.
• Be a good role model. If you have been drinking, don't drive. We all know that young people learn by example—don't send mixed messages.

¹Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Youth Fatal Crash and Alcohol Facts 2000: DOT HS 809 406. January 2002.

²National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month Coalition. Last referenced 12/04/03.

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving Last referenced 12/04/03.
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Last referenced 12/04/03.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Impaired Driving Last referenced 12/04/03.
• National Organization for Youth Safety Last referenced 12/04/03.
• Students Against Destructive Decisions Last referenced 12/04/03.