As a parent, it is definitely your responsibility to discuss the issue of drinking and driving with your teenager. However, anyone who has ever had a teen understands it can be very difficult to get through to them, especially about topics relating to alcohol and drugs. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the best way to approach this topic so that your teenager actually keeps an open mind and listens to you instead of shutting down immediately. The following are some ways that can help when discussing this topic with your teen.
1. Make them Aware of the Legalities of this Crime
Many teenage drivers assume that getting a DUI is not actually a very big deal because many celebrities are able to walk away from these incidents with nothing more than a legal slap on the wrist. Due to this, you will need to have facts in front of you that illustrate the actual penalties for an underage DUI in your state. For example, teenage drivers in Minnesota are held responsible to adhering to the state’s zero-tolerance laws.
This means that even half of a drink can cause them to get arrested and have their license taken away. Additionally, they could be facing a large fine and even time in a juvenile correction facility. If your teen gets arrested for a DUI, it would be good to contact a juvenile crimes lawyer such as Kevin W. DeVore, an experienced Minnesota defense attorney, to help them get an acquittal or a reduced sentence so that they do not end up paying for it for the rest of their life.
2. Tell Them a Personal Story
If anyone in your life has ever gotten into trouble because of a DUI, you should strongly consider using their story to help your teen learn that drinking and driving is a real issue that can have serious consequences. In fact, letting your teenager speak to someone they know who has been convicted of a DUI could have a big impact on whether or not they will ever get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated.
3. Utilize News Stories about Teenagers
It is common for teens to view themselves as almost a separate species from adults. Therefore, you will get much further with them if you use news that stories about teenagers who have gotten in trouble for a DUI in lieu of simply pointing out the dangers of drinking and driving. If possible, you should discuss a situation with them that involved a teen driver their age that either lost their life or killed someone as a result of driving under the influence.
4. Provide them with a Safety Plan
It is unrealistic to assume that simply speaking to your teen about DUIs will prevent them from drinking. Because of this, you should strongly consider offering them a safety plan that includes being able to call for a ride home without getting into serious trouble.
It is very important for you to take every possible step to protect your teenager, but you also need to enable them to live a normal life. Therefore, discussing the danger of a DUI with them is critical, and you should also immediately retain legal representation if your teen is ever arrested for drinking and driving.
As a mother to 3 teens, Lisa Coleman understands and shares the importance of successfully discussing DUI with them, including the legalities that can occur. She recently read about how Kevin W. DeVore, a Minnesota criminal defense attorney, can legally help when a minor is faced with this kind of charge.
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