Drunk, drugged and driving. How to keep teens safe during the first years of driving. Teenage years can often lead to an unfortunate combination of things that lead to an increased drinking and driving rate. Newfound freedom can be too much to handle responsibly and other times it's as simple as peer pressure. Teens have a low tolerance for alcohol and since they are also inexperienced drivers, all of these factors can create very dangerous situations. Many teens are not persuaded by the dangers and risks of possibly hurting themselves or someone else. However the penalties of teen drinking and driving have proven to be a pretty effective deterrent. Getting arrested for drunk driving as a teen is a criminal offense. Even teens under the age of 18 are often charged as an adult and their DUI conviction will go on their adult criminal record. The danger is real - and it can have life-changing repercussions for teens driving while under the influence. Teens can find themselves in situations out of their control. Impaired driving isn't limited to just alcohol. Drugged driving can include legal substances, over the counter medication, street drugs and marijuana. Prevention measures are vital to prevent teens driving under the influence. Most states have a graduated driver's license program and teens under the age of 18 are restricted from having more than one passenger in the vehicle and must abide by curfew laws and other restrictions. High school teens are estimated to drink and drive more than 2 million times a month. Every 2 minutes someone is injured in a drunk or drugged crash. Every 51 minutes, someone is killed. Teenage drunk drivers are responsible for 17% of fatal alcohol-related crashes. Impaired driving can cause accidents that lead to paralysis, disfigurement, brain damage and even death. It's dangerous and deadly. Impaired driving isn't limited to just alcohol and it's also a crime. Teens are going to experiment, most try alcohol, prescription medication, marijuana, or street drugs. Using substances are dangerous enough, but driving or being in a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver, can be deadly. The best way to prevent your teen from drinking and driving under the influence or riding with a drunk driver, is to educate. Outline the criminal element of drinking and driving. Teach the importance of safety along with the criminal consequences.

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