It's been a subject boiling on the front burner for as long as I can remember. But every year, there are hundreds—if not thousands—of reports across the nation of vehicle-related injuries. They are the leading cause of death among 15-25 year olds and include impaired-driving due to the use of alcohol, drugs and electronic devices. You may have even attended a funeral for someone who left this planet way before their time.
The San Diego Union-Tribune recently published an article written by Ben Hueso and Eloisa Orozco about this. Mr. Hueso represents the 79th Assembly District, which includes portions of San Diego, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City and Coronado. Ms. Orozco is the executive director of MADD, the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunken driving and underage drinking.
Mr. Hueso and Ms. Orozco offered these tips for parents:
"Parents can help keep their teen safe by setting rules and enforcing them.
• No drinking alcohol before age 21. Parents are the No. 1 influence on their child’s decision about alcohol. (For more information on talking with teens about underage drinking, check out MADD’s Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence® program or contact the local MADD office, (858) 564-0780.)
• Insist on seat belts at all times and in all seating positions. Low seat belt use is one of the primary reasons that teen driver and passenger fatality and injury rates remain high.
• Ban the use of all electronic devices, including cellphones.
• Limit nighttime driving and control the number of teenage passengers in the vehicle while they are driving."
For the full article, read "Keep alcohol out of youths' summer plans".
Comments