Underage Drinking and Parenting Teens

New Year's Eve is upon us and whether you are planning on going out or staying home it is important to know and  understand that buzzed driving is drunk driving.  They kill equally and destroy families in the same way.

Last year, an average of 62 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes each day over the New Year’s holiday.  Don't become a statistic and don't cause one.

Show your support to end buzzed driving by pledging to make good decisions by not driving under the influence of alcohol. Take the time to share the pledge with others and with your help, we can end buzzed driving.

I'm going to be smart; I won't drive while buzzed.

Even just one too many drinks can impair my driving and lead to devastating consequences. It's just not worth it. Buzzed driving is drunk driving so I'm going to make sure I make responsible choices that don't endanger myself and others. - Sue Scheff

 

Isn't it time you took the pledge?

Teenage and underage drinking is a serious concern.  Teens admit one of the main reasons they drink alcohol is to reduce stress.  Far less emphasis was placed on peer pressure surrounding drinking.  In most instances, teens are getting alcohol from older siblings and more often than not are getting away with drinking in their parents’ home without adults recognizing the problem.

As New Year's Eve is approaching, there usually is more opportunity for teens to be able to access alcohol.  Be proactive - talk to your teenager about the dangers of drinking and driving.  We know we will never be able to control what our teens are doing all the time, but we can continue to talk to them about the consequences of substance abuse and driving.

In St. Johns County get your teens involved in PACT (Prevention Advocacy Prevention Teamwork) and learn more about being part of a proactive community to help prevent substance abuse.

Learn more about Buzzed Driving Ad Council Campaign - follow them on Twitter and join them on Facebook.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens.

Read more.

Sue Scheff: Don't Let Your Luck Run Out on St. Patrick's Day

"I'm fine to drive."

Expect to hear this line a lot on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. Known as much for drinking as it is for shamrocks and the color green, this holiday is a fun time to be out with friends, but can be a dangerous time to be out on the road. Too many people are under the misconception that you need to be "falling down drunk" to be too impaired to drive safely. They couldn't be more wrong.

Nearly 12,000 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver in 2008. That's about one person every 45 minutes. You can't help but wonder if those lives might have been saved if only people had thought twice before getting behind the wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing to work together on the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had "only a few drinks." BuzzedDriving hopes to educate people on the reality that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, it's important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. We need your help.

Get the word out that before going out after work to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, you should be sure to line up alternative transportation: have the number for a taxi, know the area public transportation system or designate a sober driver.

Follow BuzzedDriving on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest updates and news from NHTSA. You can also visit their campaign Web site to sign a pledge not to drive buzzed, play an interactive game demonstrating how drinking can impair driving and hear a personal story from someone who has been affected by buzzed driving.

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day and remember safety always comes first!

Watch the PSA video and read more on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

What an important message for this time of the year, and truly, all year round. Take the time to be an educated parent, have safer teens and potentially save a life.


Did you know that in 2008, nearly 12,000 drivers or motorcycle riders died in alcohol-related crashes? That’s one person every 40 minutes. Many people are under the misconception that you would have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Last year alone, during the winter holiday season, 420 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. You can’t help but wonder if those lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel.

With the holidays approaching, it’s important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows, it could save a life.

The National Highway Safety and Traffic Association (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their efforts with their PSA campaign called “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” The buzzed driver is one who drinks and drives, but does not consider himself a hazard on the roadway because “only a few” drinks are consumed. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”

During the holiday season help keep “buzzed” drivers off the road. Learn about the dangers of buzzed driving, share a story or experience you might have had with buzzed driving and follow them on Twitter @BuzzedDriving and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/buzzeddrivingisdrunkdriving ) to get the latest updates and news from NHTSA.

You can also visit the website (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/ ) where readers can sign a pledge not to drive buzzed, play an interactive game to help them understand how drinking can impair driving, and hear personal stories from people who have driven buzzed.

WATCH 30 SECOND PSA VIDEO – CLICK HERE.

Be an educated parent – have a safer teen and holiday season.

Also on Examiner.