How to convince your teenager (or anyone) to never drink and drive

[garybeck]

This chilling video should convince anyone that it's not ever worth the risk to drink and drive. If you have a teenager or anyone who needs convincing, have them watch this. Derek Seber was a good kid. He attended West Point, and was top in his high school class. He screwed up this one time, and it's going to impact the rest of his life, not to mention the others concerned. You can't help but feel sorry for the him, but more than anything, you think to yourself, "I don't ever want this to happen to me." Just imagine the horror of having to face the parents of someone you killed. Or just having to carry that with you for the rest of your life. A horrible tragedy all around. Scared Straight, in so many words...

I tell my kids... if you're ever out drinking, don't get in a car, period. Don't drive or let someone else drive. Call me. I don't care what time of day or night it is, I'll come and get you.

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Norwich University student Derek Seber arraigned on DUI charges in fatal crash
Seber, 22, faces DUI with death resulting and other charges related to an early-morning crash in Northfield that killed fellow student Renee Robbins, 18.

watch the video:
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/videonetwork/1198762831001

[LeftyMom]

1. Telling your kids they can call you for a ride no questions asked is the way to go.

I never had to, but my sister invoked that one a few times as a teenager. I'm glad she didn't get in the car with somebody who'd been drinking and that my parents cared more about getting her home safely than about busting her chops over drinking shitty beer in somebody's back yard.

I'm going to have the same policy for my kid.

[Aerows]

2. We were always told we could call no matter what time of day or night

I never needed to because we used designated drivers, but I have called a cab a few times. They certainly preferred paying cab fare over me killing someone accidentally.

[Exultant Democracy]

3. With teens there are ways. Make your home a safe haven and take keys

You can't just deal with your kid alone, most teens, are members of rather tight groups. Working together with the group and parents to set up a designated driver worked for us. Once a month or so you didn't drink and every parent gave you a ten spot. Teens are not the most rational people but they do respond to incentives.

[garybeck]

4. good ideas.... this guy was 23 and away in college... so hopefully all the prep work

has a lasting impact. my heart goes out to everyone involved in something like this.

[Exultant Democracy]

6. Adults are a lot harder to deal with, especially college students (they think they are immortal)

I had it easy at any point in time 2.5 of my best friends were straight edge. They more or less got out of doing any chores around the house in exchange for a lot of designated driving.

[Xithras]

5. I have an NQA rule with both of my teens.

No matter how drunk they are, I made them a promise. Instead of climbing behind the wheel, or climbing into a car with another drunk driver, they can call me and I'll come pick them up. No Questions Asked. No lectures the next day. No dire warnings about the dangers of drinking. When the sun rises the next morning, it will be as if the incident never happened.

I'd rather put my drunk kid to bed, than put my drunk kid in a coffin. If that means that I bite my lip and restrain my parental "WHAT THE F***" instinct now and then...so be it. I'd rather have them safe.

So far, I've had to use this ONCE with my daughter. She was 16 and wasn't drunk herself (though she'd obviously had a drink or two), but both of her friends, including her ride, were blasted out of their minds. I ended up giving all three of the girls a lift home that night.

[Yooperman]

7. Thanks for sharing this video...

When my daughters were teenagers we told them the same thing... Call us anytime ..night or day .. no questions asked... we will come and pick you up. They were both very bright and had college scholarships in front of them. We never tried to control them or forbid them from attending parties with their friends....however, we told them if they even heard the sound of a beer can opening... immediately leave.

It worked... there were times they did call us... the trust we had with them paid off for us and them. They both made it through their High School years without any alcohol or drug issues and without getting pregnant. Now my oldest is 24 ... living in Kiev Ukraine with a job she loves... She was home for Thanksgiving visiting me and we had a couple of great talks about her growing up and she was soooo thankful we educated them about the "issues" and allowed her and her sister the freedom to make the right choices.

Peace,

YM