All around Upstate New York, teenagers are eagerly awaiting prom night. While they are imagining a magical night of glitz, glamour and romance, parents are equally anxious to avoid the darker underbelly of prom night — underage drinking and drugging, highway carnage, etc.
It’s true that now is a dangerous time for teens in the USA, as a full third of the deaths of teens in drunk driving accidents happen in the three months from April to June. It’s an exciting time, with proms, graduations and the parties that accompany these celebratory rites of passage. Of course, no parent wants to consider the possibility of losing their child in a prom night collision. To that end, the following tips could protect your child from the ravages of an accident.
Parents can do more than they think
You have more power and influence over your teen than you may believe. Peer pressure is still a strong motivator, but so is parental censure. Make your stand against underage drinking and/or drug use clear and don’t waffle.
Also, knowledge is power, so network with the parents of your teen’s friends and date and clarify the arrangements. Know who will be driving, the start and end times of the dance itself and the location of any after-parties.
Have your teen check in post-prom
If your teen plans to attend an after-prom party, insist they return home to change. Then you can assess their sobriety before allowing them to go back out. Also, consider getting together with several parents to rent a party bus or limo so no teenagers will be behind the wheel.
If an accident occurs, know your options
Remember that no matter how safely your teen or another person is while driving, they are only as safe as the motorists around them on the road on prom night. Sometimes, accidents just happen. If your teen suffers serious injuries in a prom-night accident, you may need to be their legal advocate in a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.