High school juniors and seniors have a laid-back attitude about teen drinking and driving on prom night, according to a new national survey. Ninety percent say that their peers are likely to drink and drive on prom night, yet only 29 percent said that was a reason for concern.

The survey of 2,500 students found similar results for graduation night, with 80 percent saying their peers would drink and drive that night, and only 25 percent expressing concern. Liberty Mutual Insurance conducted the research in conjunction with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

• The survey also found that 36 percent of teenagers report that their parents allow them to attend parties where it is known that alcohol will be served.
• 14 percent reported that their parents have hosted such parties for teenagers.
  
• One in three teens said they often change songs on MP3 players or text messages while driving.
• 25 percent said they talk on the cell phone while driving and drive with multiple passengers. These distractions pose risks for drivers of all ages.

"Newspapers, television, YouTube, and Facebook are rife with tales of tragedy or reckless driving on prom and graduation nights, yet an 'it won't happen to me' attitude continues to be so pervasive among teenagers," said Dave Melton, a spokesperson for Liberty Mutual Insurance Research Institute. "Add to the alcohol factor, distractions like texting or talking on cell phones while driving or the greater likelihood of multiple people in the car, and the crash potential is very real."

Labels: drinking_driving

Posted By: Aspen/CRC