Alcohol-related car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere kill 6,000 teens every year. That’s more than all illegal drugs combined. To help combat this problem, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is teaming up with the National Football League (NFL) to raise awareness in teen drivers about the dangers, risks and fatal consequences of driving drunk or riding with an intoxicated driver. The partnership is encouraging all teenagers to not drink before they’ve hit the age of 21 and to never get into the car with someone who has been drinking.Teenagers are urged to stand against the dangerous behavior and to sign the MADD Power of You(th) pledge. You can visit the campaign’s facebook page where teens can enter to win some official NFL memorabilia. Participants are asked to draft their friends in the fight.
Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that although teenage drivers aren’t old enough to legally drink, many are going to anyways. According to Students Against Destructive Decisions, nearly 30 percent of teens have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. Nearly 20 percent of these young individuals participated in binge drinking in the last month. That’s just the last 30 days. Nearly 75 percent of high school-aged individuals admit to having consumed alcohol at least once by the end of their senior year. Nearly 40 percent of these individuals admitted to doing so by the time they hit 8th grade.
MADD is asking you to join and to take the pledge. Taking the pledge to not drink and drive and to not get into a vehicle with an intoxicated driver enters you to win some pretty cool NFL gear. These prizes are only offered to those who are 13- to 20-years-old. All you have to do is visit the campaign’s facebook page and “share” the link to your page or you can “share” the link to your wall by taking the pledge. As long as you’re displaying the MADD Props badge on your wall, you’re eligible to win the cool gear.
Traffic accidents continue to be the number one killer of teens in America. Drivers age 16 have the highest accident rate among any age group. These young drivers are three times more likely to die in an accident that any other driver. In 2008, there were more than 2,700 drivers between the ages of 15- and 20-years-old who died in a traffic accident.
Alcohol-related accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of the traffic fatalities experienced in this young age group.
With Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner, parents are urged to talk with the teen drivers in their lives. The holidays are a time for family gatherings. Even for adults, many of these gatherings involve alcohol. Remind your young driver about the dangers of driving under the influence. It’s important to encourage them to be honest with you. If they’re at a holiday party where drinking is taking place, have them call you for a safe ride instead of getting in the vehicle with someone who has been drinking. The holiday season already brings about increased risks for an accident. We don’t need to throw a tipsy driver into the equation. Be safe — communicate with your young drivers and Happy Holidays!
If you or your teen driver has been involved in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
State Receives Recognition for Combating Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 21, 2011
“Faces of Distracted Driving” Campaign to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere during Busy Holiday Season, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 16, 2011