How Do I Talk to My Teenager about Driving Safely?

Don’t wait. The consequences of unsafe driving can be deadly. The earlier you have conversations, the better. Kids can and do begin to observe driving techniques, habits, and situations long before they actually drive. Include in your conversations that you expect your child to be alcohol-free and that there will be no alcohol or other drugs permitted in the car. But, before you talk:

• Make it easy for your teen to share his or her point of view and to ask you questions. Remember, teens are excited about driving.
• Prepare your teen as much for resisting the pressure to use alcohol (or other drugs) as you do for resisting the desire to speed. These are as necessary as the skill of driving in rain.
• Establish your rules and consequences, and enforce them consistently. You may want to consider setting up a driving contract. For a comprehensive contract, visit the

 California State Automobile Association.

Keep the conversations going once your teen has a license. Help your teen navigate the challenges of driving and the challenges of growing up.

Adapted from http://www.allstate.com/insurance-made-simple/talk-to-teenager-about-driving-safely.aspx

It’s About Time – Real Stories of Driving Under the Influence

It’s About Time – Real Stories of Driving Under the Influence is an 18-minute documentary about actual Shasta County residents and their very real tragedies.  Each year in this county, nearly 300 people are injured or killed in an alcohol-related crash.  When someone makes the choice to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the consequences are unpredictable and can be devastating. In this all-too-real film, family members tell their personal, heart-rending stories about their experiences. Tragedies like these happen to family, friends, and neighbors – tragedies that can be prevented by not driving under the influence.

If you would like a copy or presentation of It’s About Time – Real Stories of Driving Under the Influence for an organization, please contact Carmen Schuette, Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency 530-229-8424 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click here for a text description of this video

Funding for this project was provided by a grant [CB0801] from the California
Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Traffic Safety Administration.