Fall and winter are fun times for teenagers in Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, La Habra and across southern California. Unfortunately, there are also many events in the fall and winter season that can prompt teenagers to drive while they are intoxicated. From drinks before a dance to football games to holiday parties, kids could be tempted to consume alcoholic beverages and drive while impaired. This can have deadly consequences. 
As our personal injury lawyers note, Mothers Against Drunk Driving makes a dedicated holiday effort to stop impaired driving among people among all age groups, including teenagers. Just recently, the NHTSA has announced 10 teenagers who have been chosen to be a part of the 2014 to 2015 National Teen Influencer Group. This is part of the Power of You(th) program that is designed to “equip teens with the information and resources to help them avoid drinking before 21.”
Peer Pressure Can Prevent Teen Drunk Driving
Each year, MADD works with influential teenagers throughout the country to get the word out about the dangers of drunk driving. Teens are chosen to be a part of the National Teen Influencer Group if they have made an impact in preventing drunk driving where they live, or if their lives have been impacted by impaired drivers. For example, some teenagers will share their stories at Victim Impact Panels and MADD events. Others are members of Advisory Boards or Anti-Drug Coalitions or organize clubs and events in their area.
Having teenagers work together to stop drunk driving is important, because peer pressure is one contributing factor that leads to teens making dangerous choices like getting behind the wheel. For example, according to one study published by the National Institute of Health:
- Crash rates and fatalities increase dramatically when teenagers are accompanied by peer passengers. This is not true for adult drivers.
- Teenagers who are more popular appear more susceptible to certain forms of peer influence. Levels of alcohol use generally increase significantly among popular teenagers during their adolescent years, relative to peers who may be less popular.
- Adolescents are less likely to drive under the influence of alcohol or to ride with others who have consumed alcohol if they believe that their peers disapprove of this behavior.
As a result, peer pressure can work as a negative and encourage intoxicated driving or work as a positive to discourage teens from getting behind the wheel when they have consumed drugs or alcohol.
The reality is, contrary to popular belief, less than 30 percent of teenagers have consumed a drink in the past month according to MADD. Further, just 20 percent of teenagers binge drink. Kids should not feel pressure to consume alcohol, and MADD’s Teen Influencer Group helps young people to see that they don’t need to drink to fit in.
As the holiday season approaches, parents need to be aware of the impact of their children’s peer group. Know who your children’s friends are and what your kids are doing in order to reduce the chances that an accident will happen.
Contact California Law Associates at 714-542-3377 or visit http://www.attorney4u.us to get in touch with lawyers in Los Angeles who can help with your case.
