Teen Driver Safety During Prom Season: Tips for Parents in Massachusetts

C&S Insurance

As a parent, it’s only natural that you worry about your teen all the time, but especially when they’ve just recently started driving. When you pair an inexperienced driver with the social stressors and excitement of prom season, it can be a recipe for an anxiety-inducing evening.

Ease a bit of your concern by having a candid conversation with your teen ahead of their prom about the importance of driving safely. By sharing these tips with them, you can help ensure they will have a night to remember and get home safely.

Teens & Motor Vehicle Accidents

Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States. The rate of fatal crashes for teen drivers (ages 16 to 19) is almost three times higher than the rate for drivers ages 20+. Underage drinking and driving compounds the issue; according to the CDC, 29% of teens (ages 15 to 20) killed in car crashes in 2020 were drinking.

At all levels of blood alcohol content (BAC), teens are at a heightened risk of involvement in an accident than older drivers. Teens can face serious consequences for driving with a blood alcohol of 0.02% or higher, even though the legal limit for adults ages 21+ is 0.08%.

Fortunately, in Massachusetts, there has been a significant decline in teens involved in fatal car crashes in recent years. On average, two Massachusetts drivers aged 16 to 17 die in motor vehicle crashes each year. Wearing seatbelts, avoiding alcohol and drugs, driving during the day, and minimizing distractions all help teens stay safe on the road and lower these numbers.

Prom Night Driving Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers

To help keep your teen safe on prom night (and year-round), here are some key strategies you can follow:

1. Have a Conversation

If you’re upfront, honest, and caring but stern with your Massachusetts teen driver, you can help keep them safe. Express that you want them to have a great time, but also to make responsible choices to protect themselves and their friends. Remind your teen that driving drunk, on drugs, or distracted by their phone or friends are all extremely dangerous.

Be sure that they are also aware of the legal consequences for driving drunk or distracted. In Massachusetts, specific laws apply to anyone carrying a Junior Operator License (JOL).

A JOL restricts teens from carrying passengers under the age of 18 (except siblings) for the first six months after getting their license.
Junior operators can’t drive between 12:30am and 5:00 am, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
With a JOL, teens cannot use mobile electronic devices while driving for any reason, except for reporting emergencies.

There are also stricter legal consequences in Massachusetts for teens who drink and drive.

If you’re under 21 and register a BAC of 0.02% or higher, the Massachusetts RMV will suspend your learner’s permit or license for 30 days.
If you’re under 21 and convicted of operating under the influence (OUI) for the first time, the state can suspend your license for one year.
After your second offense, the state can suspend your license for two years, and you have to pass a new learner’s permit exam and road test.
If you attempt to purchase alcohol under the age of 21 in Massachusetts, your license will be suspended for 180 days, and you’ll incur a fine.
If you’re under 21 and are caught possessing alcohol, you’ll receive a 90-day license suspension and a fine.

Make sure your teen understands that they will be held responsible for these consequences and that OUIs can permanently stain their record. But most importantly, emphasize to them that you love them and want them to come home safely. Don’t let them feel like they can’t call you or another trusted adult for a ride in the event that they do need one — safety is the number-one priority.

2. Use Community Resources

In the spring, many schools, community organizations, and law enforcement agencies host events designed to raise awareness among teen drivers and give blunt reminders about the consequences of drunk driving.

As a parent, you can reach out to these organizations for more information. Events like these often send tips and talking points to parents ahead of time and include parental education nights.

Sometimes, these events involve displays of wrecked vehicles or mock car accidents. Your teen might be emotionally impacted by these shocking stories and images. It helps to discuss these events ahead of time and afterwards to check in and provide emotional support.

3. Provide Alternative Forms of Transportation

You can always offer to drive your teen to and from prom, but many high school juniors and seniors might feel embarrassed about being dropped off by their parents. Here are some alternative options:

Ask a trusted adult who isn’t going to the prom to drive your teen and their friends (such as a college-age older sibling, aunt or uncle, or neighbor).
Utilize public transportation, like buses or trains, if available in your area.
Call a taxi service.
Support your teen and their friends in chipping in for a private limo or bus service.

While you should still emphasize to your teen that they should not be drinking, it’s a good idea to rely on an alternate form of transportation, as it will help them avoid drowsy or distracted driving.

4. If Your Teen Is Driving to Prom, Make a Plan Ahead of Time

While it’s best to find alternative forms of transportation, teens may need to drive themselves to prom. If so, it’s crucial to make a plan with your teen ahead of time. Together, agree on the following:

Who they’re driving with
Where they’re stopping on the way to and from prom
What time you should expect them to come home

It’s a good idea to limit the amount of friends your teen is driving to one or two. Larger groups of teens in the same vehicle raises the potential for distraction — and teen distracted driving can be just as deadly as drunk driving.

Ensure your teen driver understands seatbelt laws. In Massachusetts, the driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers buckle up.

Your teen should know to text or call you if any of their plans change throughout the night. You should also make a backup plan in the event that they need a ride home, including who to call. If it isn’t you, ensure the adult backup driver will be awake and ready to go. Consequences for underage drinking can come the next day — the most important thing is that they get home safely on prom night.

5. Offer to Host a Pre- or Post-Prom Party

It’s popular for teens to go to pre- or post-prom parties. But when left unsupervised, these gatherings can quickly get out of hand and could involve drinking or drug use. One solution is to host a prom party at your own home.

Make it clear to your teen that while you won’t be watching their every move, drugs and alcohol won’t be present. You can supervise the space and know who is in attendance while allowing teens to choose the food, music, games, and decorations. You can also invite guests to stay the night at your home, rather than risking late-night driving.

6. Prevent Drowsy Driving

Fatigue is one of the factors that contributes to the high rate of fatal crashes involving teens at night. Teenagers often need 8 to 10 hours of sleep, so ensure your teen gets plenty of sleep in the days leading up to prom night. Remind them that drowsy driving is unsafe, and tell them that it’s better to call an adult for a ride than risk falling asleep at the wheel.

7. Be a Role Model When You Drive

Your teen is watching you from the passenger seat. Model the behaviors you want them to practice.

This means obeying traffic laws, going the speed limit, putting down your phone, controlling your emotions, and always buckling your seatbelt.

Save on Massachusetts Auto Insurance

If you’re looking to add a teen driver or find ways to save on your auto insurance policy, our experts are here to help. Get in touch with an agent from C&S Insurance today.