The day you get your driver’s license is one of the best days of your life. It brings independence, as you don’t have to rely on your parents to take you where you want to go. And it’s great for your social life, because now you can go out with friends, picking them up and dropping them off whenever you want. (Okay, mostly whenever you want.)
It’s an exciting time, and you should be excited! Passing a driver’s exam and being able to hit the streets is a major milestone. But it’s not a privilege—it’s a responsibility. And we at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., want you to do it safely!
We know teens can sometimes feel invincible, like nothing is going to happen to them and that they’ll always be safe from harm. Unfortunately, that’s just not true.
The biggest danger to teens nowadays? You guessed it, drinking and driving. And we need you to help us do something about that.
Drinking and Driving Is Still a Real Problem
Did you know that during an average weekend, a teen is killed in a car crash every hour? In 45% of those crashes, alcohol is a factor. In total, car crashes end the lives of over 35% of people between the ages of 16 and 20.
Today, one out of every ten high school students will drink and drive at some point during high school. And while that number has dropped by 51% since 1991, that’s still too many. Around the country, high school students are still drinking and driving 2.4 million times every month. And drivers under the age of 21 are 17 times more likely to die in a car crash when they have been drinking.
This is a problem right here in Arizona. Eleven percent of teens in our high schools, aged 16 or older, report that they have driven after drinking alcohol.
We’d like to share just one example. Early last year, a drunk teenage driver crashed into another vehicle in central Phoenix. The impact killed a man named Dale Curtis, father to a 14-year-old girl who was in the car with him. She now has to spend the rest of her life without her father, and the teenage driver will have to spend time in jail. The teenage driver was charged with manslaughter, six counts of endangerment, theft of means of transportation, and driving under the influence.
Drinking and driving is just not worth it.
How You Can Help Keep People Safe
We’re sure you feel the same way—drinking and driving deaths are frustrating because they’re so easy to prevent. Certain teens just need to put down the keys after they’ve been drinking. And it’s not okay to drive after “just one drink.” Alcohol affects the brains and central nervous systems of teens far more drastically than it does adults. So even after one drink, driving can be deadly.
We do know that most teens will likely drink alcohol at some time or another. Even if you have, please don’t drive home, and never get into the car with one of your friends who’s been drinking.
Many families draw up a contract between the parents and teen, stating that the teen can always call them for a safe ride home, with no consequences. These contracts can help teens and their parents feel safer, and go a long way to preventing drunk driving.
How We Want You to Help Us!
At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., we want to help prevent teen drinking and driving in Arizona.
So we’re offering five $1,000 scholarships for Arizona high school and college students.
All you need to do is write a short essay, create a short video, or otherwise illustrate the idea of “Arrive Alive: Taking a Stand Against Reckless/Drunk Driving,” Show how you’re taking a stand, how you plan to prevent friends from drinking and driving, and your dedication to remaining alcohol-free while on the road. Want to learn more and maybe win a money for your college education? Check out our 2018 scholarship page and apply today!
Remember, the only ones who can truly stop teen drinking and driving are teens like you. So spread the word to your friends, and maybe they’ll want to send in their own entries to win a scholarship, too! Good luck, and safe driving to all!