Driving drunk is a very dangerous thing with very serious consequences, and if you want to make sure that your teen does not take part in this terrifying and destructive activity, there are a number of things to keep in mind. Above all else, talk to your teen and be hones
t and firm.
Get Personal
If you or a close friend or family member have had incidents of near-disaster in your past with regard to drunk driving, take a moment to think about telling them to your teen. This gives this kind of disaster a personal touch, and a hint of gravity it did not have before. This may take some bravery on your part, but this is far better for your child in the long run.
Offer Amnesty
Many teens drive drunk because they are afraid that their parents will be angry if they have to come pick the teen up. Let your child know that if they are drunk, they can call you at any time, and that you will come pick them up. There will be consequences, but you will definitely come to them if they call. This can give your teen an out if they find themselves in a bad situation, and it can help them prevent a bad situation from ending up even worse.
Teach Responsibility
Make sure that your teen is aware of the responsibility that they undertake every time they get behind the wheel. Not only do they have to think about their own safety, but they have to think about the safety of the people around them. This is something that many teens do not understand.
Convey Consequences
There are many different consequences for driving drunk. They begin with fines and fees, and they can end with death and permanent injuries. Do not gloss over these issues for your teen. Remind your teen that, if they can drive, they can be charged with the consequences. Take your teen to talk to a lawyer in San Diego for specific details of the possible serious consequences.
Allow Questions
Make sure that your teen knows that they can ask questions of they need to. Many teens are too nervous to ask their parents about this. Remind them that you want to take care of them, and that you are always ready to answer their questions or to help them find the answers. This is something that can help you broach difficult topics.
Before the unthinkable happens, you need to map out what you can do to prevent your teen from driving drunk. What might you do to make sure that your teen never drinks and drives?
