With prom and graduation just around the corner, it can be easy for your teen to get swept up in the “you only live once” excitement that floats through the hallways. As your family approaches these special once-in-a-lifetime milestone events, however, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
“During this season of celebration, it’s critical that parents take an active role in helping keep their teens safe on our roadways,” says Rod Shilkrot, Plymouth resident and vice president of membership & marketing at AAA Minneapolis, which serves Hennepin County. “Students themselves, however, also need to make sure they are taking responsibility for their own welfare.”
The subject hits close to home for Shilkrot, who remembers talking to his own children about prom night when they attended Armstrong High School. “My wife and I were very proud of our son when he committed to serving as the designated driver for his friends, making sure he and everyone in his group got home safely,” he says.
Shilkrot and AAA Minneapolis offer these tips for parents and teens as the end-of-year festivities approach:
Prom & Graduation Safety Tips:
- Set ground rules with teens before an event.
- Verify with other parents that alcohol will not be served at their parties.
- Make a family pledge not to drink on prom night.
- Establish a time when teens are expected home.
- Urge teens never to ride with anyone who has been drinking.
- Focus on driving: The more passengers, the greater the distraction.
- Be available if your teen and his or her friends need a ride home.
