WASHINGTON, D. C. (Friday, October 5, 2018) ––Homecoming is a major social event and, quite often than not, an unforgettable rite of passage for high school students all across the Washington metro area. Homecoming season runs from September through October throughout the region. Unfortunately, there is the dark side to high school homecoming season. “Underage drinking and alcohol-related crashes involving minors tend to increase during homecoming season,” highway safety advocates warn.

As parents and teens create their last minute Homecoming to-do lists (you know the drill: pick up homecoming mums and boutonnieres, make hair appointments, and choose the perfect location for pictures) don’t forget to place a “safe driving reminder” at the top of the list. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, and there are a multitude of risks associated with Homecoming night festivities including nighttime driving, additional teen passengers and impaired driving.

Teens are more likely than anyone else to be killed in an alcohol-related crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six teens ages 16 to 19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries. Unfortunately, homecoming is also a night when tragedy can strike and change a teen’s future dramatically due to risky behavior, such as driving while impaired or distracted, warn the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education and AAA Mid-Atlantic. AAA urges parents to help reduce the number of deadly crashes on the road by getting more involved and talking to their teens about the dangers of risky behavior behind the wheel.

“Homecoming season is underway across the region, as it is across the nation, and parents are the front line of defense for keeping their teens and their dates or friends 'riding shotgun' safe on our roads. To keep your teenager safe and sound during homecoming season, talk about your expectations beforehand,” said Leah Scully, Traffic Safety Educator, Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education. “New teenage drivers ages 16-17 years old are three times as likely as adults to be involved in a deadly crash. Evaluate your teen’s readiness to drive safely before Homecoming. Talk with him or her about personal responsibility, following the rules and any other concerns you have before beginning the learning-to-drive process.”

National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) takes place October 21-27, 2018. Research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has identified several risk  factors that increase the danger to teens.

• Nearly two-thirds of people injured or killed in a crash involving a teen driver are people other than the teen behind the wheel (i.e. other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, etc.).

• Nighttime driving, especially between the hours of 9 pm and midnight can be risky.

• Distraction was a factor in nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. The most frequent potentially-distracting behaviors were conversing or otherwise interacting with passengers and cell phone use.

• Failure to buckle up. This is a big “no-no.” In 2015, the latest data available, 60 percent of teen drivers killed in crashes were not wearing a safety belt. Teenagers who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.

   

  Recognizing these risk factors can be useful in creating a safe driving plan for teens (both drivers and passengers) planning to attend Homecoming this fall. Girls aren’t the only ones getting all dolled up in homecoming habiliments, that certain skater dress, semi-formal homecoming party dress or even a formal homecoming gown. So are the fellows who will be all dressed up in an array of perfect homecoming suits. School spirit, pep rallies, the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen by the Homecoming court, the football game and the festivities, including the homecoming dance and the after-party are all big deals. Homecoming has a storied history on college and high school campuses. Put safety first during the Homecoming season, counsel AAA Mid-Atlantic and the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education.

   

  “Renting a limousine was once considered a way to keep kids safe, specifically from drinking and driving,” explains Informed Families. “The limo takes them from the dance to the party or the beach, and they, theoretically, are safer. However, this practice might unintentionally encourage teens to drink more; even if the limo’s bar is not stocked, sneaking a bottle of something in is very easy. If you are worried about your kids on the road on Homecoming night, offer to drive them yourself. That will surely get a groan from them, but as chauffeur, you at least know they won’t be drinking in your vehicle, much less drinking and driving.”

   

  AAA offers the following tips:

• Develop a safe driving plan: AAA encourages parents to make a safe driving plan with their teen, set a reasonable time to return home and talk with them about potential risks such as driving with a passenger and also while impaired or distracted.

• Discuss plans with other parents. Don’t assume all parents share your values and will monitor your teen’s actions as you would expect. Exchange phone numbers and talk with other parents and your teen’s friends to ensure ample communication.

• Limit the number of passengers in a vehicle. Parents should limit the number of teens in a vehicle to the driver and one passenger. The teenagers may have plans to go “as a group,” but they should drive in separate vehicles and enjoy the “group” when they reach their destinations (pictures, dinner, and dance).

• Say No to Alcohol. Remind your teen that it is against the law for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Encourage them to be prepared to appropriately handle peer pressure to drink alcohol or using drugs by saying “No.” Do not serve alcohol to your teen or any other teen in your home.

• Don’t drive while impaired, distracted or drowsy:

  • Remind teen passengers not to create distractions for the driver. No cell phone use while driving. Keep your eyes on the road and limit passenger interaction.

  • Remind your teenager that safe, responsible drivers do not combine drinking and driving.

  • Remind your teen not to drive if they are drowsy after a long night of dancing. Sleepiness can slow reaction time, decrease awareness, and impair judgment.

• Remember defensive driving skills: Teenagers will be on the road on a weekend night with adult drivers who may be driving impaired (from alcohol or drugs). Teens need to be attentive and watch for other drivers who may not be driving safely.

   

  To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have a three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) system that limits high-risk driving situations for new drivers, notes the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). AAA has worked for more than 75 years to help families develop their teens into safe, responsible drivers. Additional safe driving tips for teens and parents can be found at www.teendriving.aaa.com. 

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com