One Pimple is One Too Many - Teen Driving

Driving - it sounds like a dream doesn't it?

Finally, the power to just start the car and go wherever you want!

However, driving has some extra responsibilities you need to be mindful of.
Here are some tips to make your driving experience safer.

Reduce the number of passengers in your car.
It might seem cool to be the one driving all your friends around but adding just one extra passenger can double your chances at having an accident.

Hang out with friends at the mall, the coffeeshop, the beach, at home (basically anywhere without wheels) instead of in the car.

Don’t drive if you've been drinking or doing drugs, and don't ride with anyone who has been either.

The next three might seem like common sense but they're worth repeating:

Drive the speed limit.
Don't text or talk on the phone when you're driving.
(Now I know, this one seems hard but trust me - you're conversation can wait until your stationary. And that doesn't mean when you stop at a red light or stop sign. When you're talking on the phone or texting a friend while driving, your attention is diverted elsewhere instead of where it needs to be, the road.)
Put down the MP3 player while you're in the car.
(I'm not saying you shouldn't listen to music, it's a lot of fun jamming out in the car! But if you have your headphones on, it's much easier to think about the next lyric instead of the car next to you. Even if you're playing the music on the car radio, be sure to turn it down not only as a courtesy to the cars around you, but as a safety measure for yourself.)


It's no secret that driving can be dangerous but did you know:

In the U.S., 5,000 teens die every year in car crashes. That's an average of 14 a day.
Don't let your friends (or you) be one of the 14.

300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year. That's like all of Tampa, Florida, getting hurt in one year.

Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens in the U.S., even more than alcohol and drug abuse, violence and suicide.

If you drive between 9 p.m. and midnight, you're twice as likely to get in a crash

Two-thirds (66%) of teens who die in car wrecks are not buckled up.


Be sure to talk with your parents about safe driving and to follow the rules they set for you. You're parents have been driving for a lot longer than you have and remember what it feels like to be a new driver!

Be safe and have a great week!

Ariel

P.S. Statistics taken from Keep the Drive. For more information on how to be a safe driver and to become an advocate for safe teen drivng, check out Keep the Drive

One Pimple is One Too Many - Teen Drinking

Teen drinking is an unfortunate trend that continues to grow.

According to the Federal Trade Commission

Sixteen percent of eighth graders, 33 percent of high school sophomores, and 44 percent of high school seniors report recent drinking.

More than 10 percent of eighth graders, 22 percent of sophomores, and 26 percent of seniors report recent binge drinking.

More than half (58%) of 12th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life. One fifth (20%) of 8th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life.

Most teens report that alcohol is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get — including 62 percent of eighth graders, 83 percent of sophomores, and 92 percent of seniors.


When asked my opinion about teen drinking, my first and immediate response is very simple:

Don't do it.

Teen drinking is not only extremely hazardous to your health - it is illegal.

But you don't have to take my word for it, listen to some of the experts:

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2005, 23% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had a BAC (Blood Alcohol Count) of 0.08 g/dl or higher.

Teens are at far greater risk of death in an alcohol-related crash than the overall population, despite the fact that they are below the minimum drinking age in every State. Among 15- to 20-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2006, 31 percent of the drivers who were killed had been drinking...

Research indicates that the human brain continues to develop into a person's early 20's, and that exposure of the developing brain to alcohol may have long-lasting effects on intellectual capabilities and may increase the likelihood of alcohol addiction.

The age when drinking starts affects future drinking problems. For each year that the start of drinking is delayed, the risk of later alcohol dependence is reduced by 14 percent.

While it may look "cool" to drink or you may be feeling pressure from friends to drink, remember: Just say NO. No friend should ever make you feel you have to do something you don't want to do.

And don't let anyone ever tell you that you have more "fun" when you're drunk. You can have an awesome time with your friends while still being completely sober.


Stay safe everybody!

Ariel


P.S. Teen alcoholism is also a very real problem. If you feel like you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol abuse please call 1-800-662-HELP.