It’s the time of the year that teenagers have waited for. For high school seniors, graduation is just around the corner, and college acceptance letters are in the mail. For many high school teens, the long-awaited Prom Season has arrived, and memories of a lifetime (good or bad) will be created for both teens and families.
Yet, along with the excitement in this milestone season is a measure of significant risk. According to the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA), prom and graduation season – April through June – is the time when most teen motor vehicle deaths and serious injuries occur. Moreover, they report that alcohol-related crashes kill more people ages 16 to 20 than any other age group. Moreover, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) reports that the majority of teens in this age group get the alcohol from family or friends.
So how can parents prevent this tragedy during this season of celebration?
Experts from the NHTSA, SADD, and many other organizations agree on a few important steps parents can take to keep their teen drivers safe during Prom and Graduation season.
o Find out about your teen’s plans for the evening and determine who will be responsible for driving.
o Confirm your child’s plans with school officials and other trusted parents.
o Get a commitment from your teen that their cell phone will be on throughout the evening and designate times to have them check in with you as the evening progresses.
o Discuss your expectations and outline your rules, those of law enforcement and of the school for the evening.
o Clearly let your teen know that he or she can call you if any problem arises and they need a safe ride home – no questions asked.
One More Important Tip: If your teen will be driving, assure in advance that they are sufficiently covered either by your auto insurance policy or their own. For your own peace of mind, be sure to check with your insurance agent for confirmation.
Here at GM Underwriters in Miami FL, we wish your family the best for graduation and prom season, and we are available to answer to our retailers any questions you might have about their customer’s insurance coverage. Contact us at http://www.gmunderwriters.com
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