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Data Shows Rise In Teen Alcohol Fatalities During Prom Season As the school year winds down, many students look forward to their proms and graduations. But, these celebrations can turn deadly quickly. Despite the warnings and strict laws, teens continue to mix alcohol with driving and prom night or graduation celebrations. More than 3,500 teens are killed and another 85,000 are injured each year in car crashes involving alcohol. Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc. warns that no insurance can cover the potential issues caused by an accident while driving under the influence. David Dickson, president of PIANY, warns, "Celebrations of milestones and achievements shouldn't become the cause of tragedy. The most important message to remember is that drinking and driving puts the lives of the driver and others in extreme danger. There are better ways to have fun other than drinking." The number one killer of teenagers is drunk driving. Thousands will have their lives shattered because of a drunk driver. Not all have been drinking-some are innocent targets of people who drink and drive. PIANY recommends the following tips to help your teen understand the dangers and the consequences of drinking. Talk to your children. Make them aware of the dangers of drinking and what could happen to them or their friends if they choose to drink. Make it clear that drinking alcohol is not an option until they are 21 years old. Set down rules and explain what will happen if they break these rules. Explain to your children what true friendship is, so when peer pressure hits, they will be able to stand firm and refuse to "go along with the crowd." Share your specific concerns about how drinking will compromise their safety. Someone in the United States is killed in an alcohol-related accident approximately every 23 minutes. That someone could be their best friends, or it could be them. Surveys show that young people rank their parents among the top reasons for NOT drinking. "Talking to our kids and setting clear boundaries regarding alcohol and driving may be the most important thing a parent can do," Dickson concluded. "Explain to them that if they need a ride, it's okay to call you. The high school prom and/or graduation day can be the happiest or most tragic time of a teenagers life. Teens and alcohol are a deadly mix."
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