Although traffic fatalities are lower than they were at the turn of the century, automobile accidents still kill thousands of people each year. An elevated blood alcohol level (BAC) is a factor in one out of three car accident deaths. Traffic accidents, in general, are the number one cause of death in young people. If your teen is at risk of a traffic fatality due to their inability to stop using alcohol, Venture Academy can help.
Our Venture Academy team has an alcohol addiction treatment program that is specifically designed for the unique needs of teens in recovery. For more information about the dangers of drinking and driving and how we can help, please call us at 866.762.2211 or fill out our online contact form today for our alcohol addiction treatment for teens.
What Are Some Dangers of Drinking and Driving?
It is critical to stress the danger of drunk driving to your children before getting behind a wheel. They should know that you aren’t using scare tactics as a way to limit their freedom or exaggerate claims. If teenagers think there is another motive behind your concern for their safety, they won’t buy into what you tell them about drunk driving. Be prepared with facts and statistics concerning drunk driving and ready to answer questions they may have. It is also essential your teen is made aware of all types of driving risks, including texting and driving. You have to ensure that your child doesn’t take the act of driving lightly.
Another critical point to make to your child is that it doesn’t matter who is behind the wheel if that driver is intoxicated. Statistically, teen drunk driving has gone down significantly since the ’90s. However, mortality rates are still elevated in drunk driving accidents because it doesn’t matter if they weren’t the ones driving. Your teen must know they can never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol and never get in a car if the person behind the wheel is intoxicated.
The Risks of Underage Drinking
In an effort to curb drunk driving fatalities, there have been widespread public warnings, youth educational programs, and stiffer penalties for drunk driving violations. Despite this, large numbers of people continue to drive while intoxicated every day. Automobile accidents account for most fatalities for people aged fifteen to twenty-four. Among the portion of deaths in which the teen was a driver and not a passenger, a significant amount tested positive for alcohol.
If a teen is caught drinking, there can be severe consequences. The most significant consequence is the higher risk of a life-altering event such as a car accident that ends in a fatality.
Additional consequences a young person might face if they’re caught drinking underage are:
- Steep fines
- Jail time and a permanent record
- Community service
- A suspended or revoked license
- Missing out on important events or activities
- Physical and emotional side effects of alcohol and drug use
- Outcomes from reckless behaviour that occur at higher rates in intoxicated individuals
Additionally, although a BAC level of under 0.08 is the limit, by reaching this limit, a young person aged 18-34 is statistically twelve times more likely to be involved in a car crash that ends their life. So, even if an individual is considered to be acting lawfully, they’re potentially risking their lives and the lives of others every time they drink and drive.
Reduce Your Risk with Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Venture Academy
People who drink should never be allowed to drive, period. Parents can shape teens’ attitudes toward drunk driving by utilizing consequences to direct behaviour. If you need help controlling your teen’s alcohol use and want to ensure they won’t drive drunk, contact Venture Academy today by calling 866.762.2211 or completing our online form. We can provide more information about our therapy for teen alcohol addiction and the dangers of drinking and driving.
