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Friday, May 24, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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Years of hard work culminated this week as young adults across the valley celebrated their high school graduation. We congratulate these young people on their latest accomplishments but also offer some words of caution.
For young adults, graduating from high school marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. Parents beam as they watch their children walk the stage and receive their diploma, taking pride in not only their children’s accomplishments but in their own joy at having successfully guided their child into adulthood. Over the coming weeks, many of these young people and their families will host graduation celebrations with friends and family.
Unfortunately, events intended to celebrate one of life’s first great achievements can quickly turn into a tragedy due to the convergence of youthful exuberance, newfound freedom and impaired driving fueled by drugs and alcohol.
Organizations such as the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF), Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the “100 deadliest days for teen drivers.” The 100 deadliest days refer to the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, in which fatal collisions involving teen drivers increase by as much as 20%.
Many of the deaths trace their roots to drugs, alcohol and distracted driving.
While fewer American teens are drinking than in the past, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reveal that approximately one-third of high school students admit to consuming alcohol at least once per month. One-third of those (10% of all high school students) admit to binge drinking regularly and consuming at least five alcoholic beverages each time they drink. For high school seniors, those numbers are even higher, with almost half of all seniors drinking regularly and nearly 20% binge drinking.
Additionally, almost 30% of high school seniors use cannabis, 11% use the psychoactive cannabis extract Delta-8-THC and 7.4% use other illicit substances such as cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs.
After a night of celebrating, many of these young individuals may find themselves behind the wheel. The consequences of such actions can be devastating. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, 30% of young drivers (15 to 20 years old) who were killed in traffic collisions were impaired.
Those who survive but are caught driving while impaired also face serious consequences.
Even for first-time offenders, impaired driving can carry penalties of up to six months in jail, thousands of dollars in fines and court fees, and a one-year license suspension. It’s a deadly season that can also derail the lives of survivors before they truly begin.
Fortunately, by working together, schools, parents and communities can help keep teens safe after graduation and throughout the year.
Educational campaigns that continuously reiterate that driving under the influence is not only illegal but also potentially lethal have been shown to be effective at reducing impaired driving. Testimonials from accident survivors have proven particularly powerful as they personalize the risks and underscore the gravity of impaired driving in a way that statistics alone cannot.
Parents also play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitudes about impaired driving. Open, honest conversations about the dangers of drunk driving coupled with clear expectations and boundaries can deter teens from making risky choices and encourage them to take basic precautions while behind the wheel, such as putting down their cellphones and buckling their seat belts. It is also vital for parents to model responsible behavior, as children often emulate the actions of the adults around them.
Community organizations also help save lives by sponsoring safe ride programs or partnering with ride-hail services to offer free or discounted rides to students during the summer months and following big high school events, such as graduation, homecoming and prom.
Nobody believes they’ll become a deadly traffic statistic, especially teens enjoying the unbridled optimism and sense of invincibility that comes with knowing that the future is theirs for the taking.
That’s why all of us — parents, friends, neighbors, community leaders and educators — must take responsibility and act collectively to ensure that the exuberance of this season is not marred by preventable loss. Only through honest, intentional and coordinated efforts can we safeguard the lives of young people and allow them to fully enjoy the bright futures they have worked so hard to achieve.
The NHTSA offers these tips:
• Plan your safe ride home before you start the party; choose a nondrinking friend as a designated driver. Make it clear that being sober means no drugs, either.
• If you drink or use drugs, don’t drive. Call a taxi, a ride-hailing service or sober friend. The same applies if someone you know is impaired due to drugs or alcohol — don’t let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a ride home.
• Parents, make sure your teen knows they can count on you for a safe ride!
• Always wear your seat belt; it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
• Eliminate distractions by accepting that the text, TikTok or email can wait — it isn’t worth your life or the life of someone you care about. Focus on driving or pull over to a safe location if you must interact with your phone.
