Like going to prom, learning to drive is one of life's milestones. PARENTS, you can serve an important role by encouraging your teen to drive safely to and from prom. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in teenagers and one in four of those deaths involved a teen who had been drinking. Depending on your student's age there are graduated drivers licensing (GDL) laws in Illinois, insist that they abide by them. (Click here to see the GDL).

Under the Illinois "Use It & Lose It " zero tolerance law, those under 21 who are caught with ANY trace of alcohol in their blood will lose their license. They can also be charged with a DUI. Teens often do not consider the serious consequences of drinking and driving, this is why we as parents need to remind them. Click here to read about the "Use it and Lose It" penalties, fines, loss of driving privileges and possible jail time.

We all want our students to be safe on prom night, but you are the ones who can make an impact. Please talk with your student about alcohol facts, reasons not to drink and ways to avoid drinking in difficult situations. Please help enforce the laws on underage drinking and driving, establish your own rules and enforce them with consistent and appropriate consequences.