Prom Season and Teen Driving

Spring means prom season time and along with prom season comes the need for families to be aware of the risks that young drivers face. Statistically, Springtime is the most deadly month for young drivers, with the months of May and June being the highest risk times. Additionally, Saturday-the usual night chosen for proms by schools in the area-is the highest risk day of the week, with the majority of incidents taking place between 9pm and 6am.


When you add in all of the external factors that can raise the risk of accident during prom season-distraction from passengers, risk of alcohol and fatigue, it becomes extremely important that parents stress safety during prom. Here are some tips for parents to keep in mind when discussing the responsibility of safe driving:

• Celebrate the accomplishment of getting a drivers license, but also discuss the responsibility that comes with it.
• Be parental! Provide guidelines, establish rules, and uphold the consequences for breaking the rules.
• Don't rush the learning process. Be patient and allow your teen plenty of time to acclimate him or her to driving at different times of day, and in different conditions.
• Practice what you preach! Leading by example is a powerful tool. If your teen driver sees you driving responsibly, under control and within the rules of the road, this sets a positive example for him or her to follow.

There is, of course, no substitute for experience on the road, but laying a solid foundation of driving fundamentals for your teen can make a massive difference.