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Greetings Parents! And
welcome to the Parent's Place.
 We
believe that you - the parents of young drivers - play a critical
roll in preparing America's children for a future of safe
driving. You have a great deal of influence on the decision
your children will make. Perhaps more than you realize.
That is exactly why we created this section
of the "What's Driving You?" DUI Prevention Web-Site just
for you. In the articles listed below you will find a plethora
of information addressing critical issues, such as the process
of getting a driver's license, underage drinking and zero
tolerance laws. We hope they answer your key questions.
Also, please take a few minutes to read
the Parents Guide to "What's Driving You?" This web
site could be the starting point for some very important conversations
you need to have with your child. Start talking now, before
it's too late!
Graduated Licensing
In
literally every country in the world where cars are a common
means of transportation, teenagers are disproportionately
involved in motor vehicle crashes. The Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety attributes a full 82% of crashes involving
16-year-old drivers to driver error caused by risk taking
and inexperience. The dire nature of this problem has been
recognized for decades, yet few public policies have had an
impact. . Recently, however, one approach has been proven
to make young people into safer drivers: Graduated Licensing
Systems.
Your involvement as a parent - is an integral
part of the success of Graduated Licensing Systems. We encourage
you to review the Graduated Licensing
section of this site with your child, so that you may better
understand this important process.
Also, the following articles provide more
insight on the topic specifically for parents of young drivers.
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Zero Tolerance
Laws
As
you are probably well aware, it is illegal for individuals
under 21 to consume alcoholic beverages in the United States.
Yet, until just a few years ago the laws as to what constituted
driving under the influence of alcohol were the same for minors
and adults.
This, of course, makes no sense,
especially given the extreme risk that young people who drive
while drinking pose to themselves and people around them.
In 1996, 21% of all 15-20 year olds involved in fatal crashes
had been drinking. These young drivers are 6.7% of the driving
population, yet they constitute 14% of the alcohol-related
fatalities among drivers of all ages. Zero Tolerance laws
are one way to change this deadly pattern.
And just what are Zero Tolerance
laws? Well the name pretty much says it all. Zero Tolerance
laws have no tolerance whatsoever for underage drivers who
get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol by making
it illegal for people under 21 to drive with any measurable
amount of alcohol in their bodies because it is illegal for
them to drink in the first place.
All 50 states and the District of
Columbia have established lower blood alcohol thresholds that
are illegal per se for drivers younger than 21. Federal legislation
enacted in 1995 that allowed for the withholding of highway
funds played a role in motivating states to pass such laws.
In the spring of 1998 South Carolina became the 50th state
to adopt a Zero Tolerance policy.
And do such laws work? Quite frankly:
yes.
Dr. Hingson of Boston University
published the first national analysis on the impact of Zero
Tolerance laws (Public Health Reports, December 1994)
. He compared the fatality statistics in the first twelve
states to lower legal limits below the level tolerated by
legal drinkers for drivers under 21 to those in nearby states
that did not change the limits. Zero Tolerance laws lowered
the number of fatal crashes most likely to involve alcohol
by 20% .
We encourage you to review the Zero
Tolerance section of this site with your teenager. Also,
read on to learn more about underage drinking in general.
It is not enough to tell your child that they cannot drink
and drive; they should not be drinking at all!
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Underage Drinking
You
must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol in the US
- it's the law. Yet, it's a law that many youth - and some
parents - tend to ignore.
This issue cannot be taken lightly.
In many states providing alcohol to an underage drinker or
drinkers - even your child and his or her friends -(an result
in criminal charges. Certain cities and towns have even begun
to explore more serious punishments for such actions. You
could even be held legally responsible for damage caused by
young people who drink in your home?
Most states also impose some financial
responsibility on parents of minor children who injure someone
or maliciously damage or destroy other's property. Because
such violent and destructive acts increase greatly when alcohol
is a factor, you as a parent could also be held financially
responsible for the consequences your child's drinking.
How do you deal with this seemingly
monstrous topic? Educate yourself (you can start by
reading the articles listed below) and talk to your teenager.
Research has shown time and time again that one sure factor
which reduces underage drinking is communication between parent
and child. This is your place. Do your part.
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Parents' Guide
to "What's Driving You?"
This
site consists of various different components, as explained
below. It is our belief that if you, the parents, understand
the purpose of each section of the site you will be better
prepared to use the "What's Driving You?" web site as a conversation
starter with your children.
| about
us |
In this section
you will find background information about Intervention
Instruction Inc. and the "What's Driving You?" web site,
including a profile of our founder and president, Monsignor
Ignatius McDermott. |
| virtual
party |
The true essence
of "What's Driving You?" is found in the Virtual Party
section of the site. Actually, two virtual parties are
taking place on this web site: one for underage drinkers,
and one for the legal drinking age. All visitors to are
"carded" on their way in , and sent to the appropriate
party according to what they enter as their birth date.
Of course young visitors may lie to enter the virtual
party intended for older guests. They will not find the
information most applicable to their current situation.
. Once the visitors enter the party they are introduced
to a cast of characters. The guests pick a character who
they will then follow through the course of an evening,
making choices for their character and immediately seeing
the outcomes of this decision making process. By "partying"
in this fashion, guests of the "What's Driving You?" web
site are able to see the outcomes of risky drinking, drugging
and driving without actually engaging in such risky behavior.
You may want to "party" with your child, and discuss each
decision with him or her. All decisions presented in the
party situations are realistic, and present dilemmas that
many young people must face each and every day. |
| wdy challenge |
This is the quiz
portion of the site. Visitors are asked five very important
questions, which they answer by making selections from
multiple responses. When the visitor picks an incorrect
answer, they are encouraged to try again. Explanations
for the answers are also provided. When the challenge
is completed, the visitor is given his or her score, and
directed to the section of the site find additional information
on topics with which they had difficulty. |
| parents place |
This is where you
are now! |
| ask our panel |
In the Expert Panel
area, visitors can pose questions tp our panel of specialists,
who include a Circuit Court Judge, a Physician, a Psychologist
and a Fitness Specialist. Though our experts provide no
direct legal, medical or therapeutic advice, they do respond
to all legitimate questions and post their responses on
the site regularly . Visitors can also search questions
asked in the past and read the experts' responses . |
| helpful sites |
In this section
you will find links to a wide variety other web sites
which serve as additional resources on topics covered
on "What's Driving You?" |
| reading room |
The Reading Room
features a library of articles addressing the vast array
of topics covered on the site, from How to be a Good Host,
to general facts about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and
other drugs. This collection of information is growing
larger every day, so it is a good place to search for
resources on a wide variety of topics. |
| local laws |
The Local Laws
section provides legal information specific to all areas
of the U.S. |
| grad lic |
This section explains
the Graduated Licensing system now common in many states.
Much of the information in this section is specific to
Illinois, where "What's Driving You?" is produced. |
| 0 tolerance |
This section details
Zero Tolerance Laws in the United States. Again, specific
information about how Illinois handles this issue is also
provided. [wanted this to mean something to the rest of
the world…not sure if this phrasing does it] |
| what's new |
The What's New
section is a constantly updated news resource, which provides
updated information on happenings related to intoxicated
driving, underage drinking, and public safety in general. |
| credits |
"What's Driving
You?" would not exist without the assistance of many strong
supporters and volunteers listed here. |
| contact us |
In this section
you are encouraged to tell us a little about yourself,
as well as to let us know what you think of the site,
positive or negative. Your comments and opinions are very
important to us. And though compliments are always appreciated,
it is even more important that we address any problems
or concerns that you may have. |
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We
certainly hope you enjoy your visit to "What's Driving
You?" Please come again soon, and tell your friends and
co-workers about our site! With your help "What's Driving
You?" can save lives. Please help us spread the word!
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