Every year, on average, 250 youth are injured and three are killed during the April, May and June grad season in the southern Interior.
Here are tips from ICBC to help parents make sure grads get home safely:
• Know their plan: Does your teen have a designated driver? Many grads treat themselves to a limousine ride - make sure they plan a safe ride home if they’ll be going to any other celebrations or if the limousine isn’t scheduled to drive them home.
• Plan B: Things don’t always go as planned so talk to your teen about expecting the unexpected and what their alternative options are to get home safely.
• Make it unconditional: If you haven’t already, consider letting your child know that they can call you at any time if they ever need a ride. If they do call you for assistance, be supportive and consider saving your questions for the next day or at least until you’re home. If you can’t pick them up yourself, you can always have them return home safely in a taxi.
• Power of choice: Use real-life scenarios to talk to your teens about their driving behavior rather than lecturing them. If they’re going to be a designated driver, talk to them about not letting passengers or peer pressure influence their choices and that a real designated driver is one who does not drink at all.
• Power of influence: Your teen’s choices can have a significant influence on their friends. For example, if they take a stand against impaired driving they can help create a culture that recognizes making smart decisions. Even if you’re confident that your child is going to make the right choices, talk to them about looking out for their friends, especially those they know are easily influenced by others. And don’t forget, you also set an example for them every day with your own driving behavior.
You can find more on road safety, including helpful tips for young drivers on icbc.com.