Teen Drinking and Driving

If you are the parent or guardian of a teen who will soon be testing to receive his or her driver's license then you may be understandably nervous. After all you care greatly about your child's safety and worry about him or her being behind the wheel. Still it is a teen's rite of passage to obtain a driver's license which means all you can do is prepare him or her to be as safe as possible on the road. One hazard that many parents may not consider when they speak to their teens about the inherent responsibilities that come along with having a driver's license is avoiding drugs and alcohol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention teen drinking and driving is a surprisingly common cause of teenage vehicle collisions responsible for more than 20 percent of fatal car crashes involving drivers under 21 years old. Getting into an accident because of drinking and driving can not only cause serious injury or even death but could also result in your teen being stuck with a DUI on his or her record which could affect future employment and education. Because of this it is important for parents to speak with their teens about the importance of resisting peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol. This is especially true of teens who have their driver's licenses and could be putting themselves and others at severe risk by drinking and driving.

It is also important for parents to note that laws and penalties regarding teens drinking and driving can vary greatly from state to state which is why it is recommended that all parents find out more about state-specific teen drinking and driving laws that may apply to their children. Free DMV Practice Tests offers a number of helpful resources for prospective drivers including a useful DMV practice test to help teens review traffic regulations. Be sure to check it out for yourself and share this information with your teen to help him or her stay safe and responsible behind the wheel.