Community Minute is brought to you by Mercedes-Benz of South Orlando

The start of summer is an exciting time for teens. However, no school + parties= potential disaster. Let's face it, parents can't be with their child every waking moment, but parents can equip their teens with tips for a safe summer.

Remind them that being captain of the football team or a member of the National Honor Society doesn't make them immune to the dangers of drinking (or drugging) and driving. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of youth age 15-20. In a single year more than 2,000 youth die from alcohol related crashes.

Below are "10 Commandments" concerning teens and drunk driving (Source):

1. Never condone underage drinking.
2. Know where your teen is going and when she will be back.
3. Know who your teen is going with.
4. Know what transportation he is using.
5. Have curfews and always wait up for your teen. Have a brief conversation with him about his night. Watch for signs of drinking (slurred speech, inability to focus eyes, swaying movement when walking, etc.).
6. Don't allow your teen to spend the night at a "friend's" you don't know or places where you know the parents don't supervise the kids.
7. Tell your teen you will pick her up if she can't drive or doesn't have a ride. But don't count on this; it's not too effective; your teen will be intimidated. If your teen is completely trashed — she may call you; however, if your teen has had three or four drinks she will most likely risk it.
8. Teach your teen to be a safe passenger. Remember that 50 percent of teens who die in car accidents are passengers not drivers.
Tell your teen to never ride with anyone who has been drinking, even if he doesn't seem drunk.
9. Never let your teen see you drunk or drive after a couple drinks.
10. Don't be oblivious. Realize that teenage drinking is very prevalent among all types of teens.
No matter how smart or mature you think your teen is, remember he is still at risk.


STAR Cares about our community...