A designated driver is supposed to be a person who, before a party ever begins, agrees not to drink anything at all. But recent surveys have found that many teenagers believe the designated driver is just the “least drunk” one of the group.
“According to a new Canadian study, the first problem is 20 percent of teens start drinking and then choose a designated driver. Also, according to the Centers for Disease control, 30 percent of teens pick a driver who has been drinking. ‘Part of the problem is that we don’t really get across the correct notion of what it means to be a designated driver,’ says Len Pagano, president and CEO of the Safe America Foundation.” [Source: MyHighPlains.com]
Melissa, age 17, admits that at most parties “everyone else gets ridiculous,” and there’s one person who’s only had “four shots” and is chosen as the designated driver. Parents should remind their teenage children that drinking is illegal for anyone under 21, and should also make it clear that only a person who has not been drinking can be a designated driver.
Labels: alcohol
Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton