Prom and graduation party season is upon us, and while that means it is a time of celebration for teens and high school graduates, it’s also a time when these young people may be tempted to make some poor choices when it comes to alcohol. Drunk driving is dangerous at any age, but it can be particularly dangerous and costly for teens and young adults, so it pays to have a conversation with your kids about underage alcohol consumption and drunk driving. In today’s blog, we share some tips for broaching the subject.
Taking To Your Kids About Drunk Driving
Every kid is different, so don’t take the following tips as a perfect playbook for having this conversation. However, if you touch on some of the subjects we discuss below, we’re confident the conversation will go well. Here’s what to discuss.
1. Adult Choices = Adult Consequences – Let your child know that if they choose to make adult choices, they will face adult consequences from the law. It doesn’t matter than they are still young, Minnesota handles underage DUIs just like they would an adult DUI. You can be charged as an adult and face punishments like jail time, monetary fines and of course the loss of your driver’s license. You won’t get away with a slap on the wrist because you’re young. Let them know they will face adults consequences if they are caught drinking and driving by the police, even if they are 16 or 17.
2. A Lot To Lose – Also let them know that because they are young, they stand to lose a lot as a result of a DUI. Besides the penalties listed above and the potential loss of their driver’s license, it’s certainly possible for a drunk driving conviction to affect scholarships, college admissions, living situations and current of future employment. Make sure they understand all they are putting on the line before they get behind the wheel.
3. You’re There For Them – Make sure that you let your child know that you will be there for them in any situation. They need to know that if they make a poor decision to drink alcohol that they should not compound the problem by driving home and trying to sneak in the house. Let them know that you are willing to give them a ride or help them get home if they end up in a situation where they should not be driving. Again, they should not free them from consequences at home, but let your child know that they should never compound a problem out of fear. You may be angry or disappointed, but you’ll always be supportive.
4. The Choice Could Be Life Altering – Finally, let them know that their decision to drive drunk could change their life. Nobody plans on getting in an accident or killing someone else, but it happens every day. They could end up dying, killing a friend or causing the death of someone else, which among other things would likely send them to jail for an extended period of time. Make sure they know that even if it doesn’t seem like a major deal, their choices could alter the course of their life.
And if you or your teen need help in the wake of an arrest, look no further than to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm. Give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
