No teen or parent wants to think about the fact that prom is actually one of the most dangerous nights of the year for young people. Even if you’re confident that your teen has the maturity to abstain from underage drinking or substance abuse, they could be at risk simply by being on the road with other inexperienced or compromised drivers. Or as Michelle Goldman, a mother of a teen daughter who died in a car crash after prom 2007 found the hard way, they may simply lack the experience to be on the road with friends. “"Six kids are a big distraction to a newly licensed teenager. I thought drinking and driving was the highest teenage driving danger. It's not.”
What You Can Do About It
On an average day in the U.S., around 11 teens die in car wrecks, and these numbers reach record heights during prom season. You’re not powerless, and experts urge parents to plan an official conversation with their teens and draft a contract. According to Susan Dulchak, head of Allstate Insurance’s Center for Teen Driver Safety, “Parents' involvement and influence on the teen...experience can literally mean the difference between life and death for their child.” We’ve compiled some critical talking points about safety for the conversations you and your teen have before prom night rolls around:
1. How Are You Getting There?
Even if your teen is a safe driver, the fact remains that they’re simply less experienced due to the relatively short amount of time they’ve been licensed. Your initial talks about prom night safety should focus on finding a viable alternative to carpooling with friends or relying on friends for rides. Limo service is among the best options. Teens will ride safely in the hands of an experienced Chauffeur, and they won’t have to suffer the horrible embarrassment of being dropped off by Mom and Dad.
2. Consequences for Substance Abuse
The chances that your teen will have an opportunity to sneak off to the bathroom partway through the dance for some alcohol or other substances are pretty high. Your conversations should touch on the risks of underage drinking and drug use, as well as consequences the teen will have to face at home. It’s critical that all parties understand the school’s policy if the teen is caught drinking on the premises, as well as the limo company’s policy on teen drinking. While rules can vary slightly, most providers have a policy of Chauffeurs searching teen’s bags before they can be brought inside the vehicle. If alcohol is discovered inside, the vehicle will likely be pulled over and the parents will be required to pick up the teen.
3. Planning an Itinerary
Parents and teens should work together well before the big day to plan a schedule that’s agreeable to both parties. Depending on your teen’s wishes, you could reach compromise on plans. Instead of an unsupervised hotel party, you might reward your teen with spa time before the dance. Your schedule should be part of the contract, and include designated times throughout the evening when parents can check-in by phone.
4. Writing a Contract
Both teens and parents should agree on behaviors that can be written into a signed contract for the dance. Parents could agree to avoid calling aside from the times outlined in the contract. Teens may agree to avoid inappropriate dancing and drinking, and call three or four times throughout the night. The contract should include consequences
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