Prom season is upon us and the event generally makes for one of the most memorable nights of a young person’s life. However, sometimes underage drinking is introduced into the revelry of the evening and can result in some unwise decisions on the part of intoxicated teenagers.
One poor decision sometimes made is choosing to drive under the influence. According to a 2009 survey by Liberty Mutual, 90 percent of teenaged respondents said they expected their peers to drive drunk on prom night.
The startling figure has helped spark a number of new measures by schools to help curb drinking on prom night, but others say intervention by parents or guardians can assist with lowering the numbers as well.
Drunk driving’s affects on car insurance
Besides the danger that teen drivers put themselves and others on the road in when they engage in alcohol-impaired driving, there are also long-term consequences to consider, should they be caught driving under the influence.
Regardless of whether the decision results in a crash, a drunken driving arrest has serious consequences. First, there is the potential for jail time and a license suspension for those caught in the act of driving while intoxicated.
DUI’s can also have a devastating impact on the car insurance rates of a young person, causing premiums to skyrocket or potentially resulting in their insurer dropping their coverage or not allowing them to renew. Some sources say the high premium charges could continue up to 5 years after the incident.
Parents should also be concerned about these consequences, as teenagers are often listed on the policies of their guardians. With such an incident, the high auto insurance rate would be distributed throughout the policy, rather than attributed to only one vehicle or driver. Some experts say rates could double or triple, potentially making them difficult to manage.
Prevention may be best
However, some of the measures being taken to curb drinking before, during and after prom seem to be showing some success. According to U.S. News & World Report, measures such as breathalyzing students, offering alcohol-free after-prom events and allowing students to sign sobriety contracts have helped reduce teens inclination to drive drunk on prom night.
A recent study by Students Against Destructive Decisions and Liberty Mutual found that only 6 percent of students actually reported driving drunk on prom night, as opposed to the 90 percent estimate of their peers.
Parents can also be involved in drinking prevention by discussing drinking and driving with their children, informing them of the risks and ensuring that they are aware of the criminal record and sky-high auto insurance rates that could follow them for years to come.