'Operation Grad Night' aims to keep teens safe
Teens, alcohol, and driving can be a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, this time of year, many teens choose to celebrate graduation and the upcoming summer holidays with a few friends… and a few drinks.
Motor vehicle traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the age group 16-20 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Alcohol is a major factor in many of these crashes — especially during the months of May and June.
For a concerned group of area citizens and law-enforcement and emergency professionals, this reality just isn't acceptable. Their goal is to instigate awareness in teens and parents to keep Bonner County's kids safe during graduation and the rest of the year. Operation Grad Night is planned for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 31 at Schweitzer Plaza Drive.
During this event, a motor-vehicle collision involving teenage "victims" will be realistically enacted, complete with crushed vehicles and uniformed emergency personnel. The event gives teens the chance to witness first-hand the potential outcome of the deadly link between drinking and driving.
Though the program is aimed at graduating seniors, parents are encouraged to attend, and the public is welcome. However, attendance of children under the age of 16 may not be appropriate due to the explicit nature of the program.
Graduation is unfortunately a time when even the most responsible kids are known to let their hair down. It doesn't take much for a celebratory evening out to turn into a tragedy that will haunt families for the rest of their lives. A few drinks, a cell phone call or other distraction and a car full of kids could end up in some serious trouble.
The end of the school year is an excellent time for parents to talk to their kids about drinking and driving. Not only does Idaho have a zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving, but the possibility of an injury crash — or worse, is too real to ignore.
Make sure you know where your kids are, and if they do go out, make sure they know to buckle up and follow posted speed limits and other traffic safety postings. Talk to your kids about drinking and driving and make sure they know the dangers of combining these activities.
Give them realistic solutions. Encourage them to attend their school's substance-free grad night. Talk to them about providing safe solutions for a ride home in case they do have even one drink.
Communicating with your kids is the first step in celebrating a happy and safe 2007 graduation season.