Arizona parents of high school-aged teens likely are grappling with some issues that may arise during this time of year. In particular, parents worry about their teens’ safety over the upcoming proms and graduation parties that their kids will beg to attend.
This annual rite of passage plays out each spring across the nation. Teens dress up in their finest and attend proms, after-parties and graduation celebrations with their dates and friends. After all, what could go wrong?
Unfortunately, a lot can go wrong
Roughly a third of all teen traffic deaths due to alcohol occur in the months of April, May and June. This is the peak season for heightened risk due to the increased number of newly licensed teenagers taking to the roads for these adventures.
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (formerly The Century Council) conducted a survey of teens and discovered that over 50% of respondents aged 13 to 20 admitted to drinking underage.
Ways to keep teens safer
Keeping the lines of communication open for teens to share their fears, doubts and concerns with their parents is a wise move. It may also be helpful to choose a code word that can easily be worked into a conversation, e.g., “sweater” or jacket,” that will alert parents to potential hazards affecting their teens.
Then, when the parents text the teen, they can claim an emergency happened, and they have to leave for home.
When accidents occur
Parents and teens both can be hyper-conscious about safety and following rules, but accidents can and do still occur. If your teen is injured in a prom-season accident, learning more about Arizona’s personal injury laws can help guide your next move.
