2019 Homecoming- Arrive Home Safely
Homecoming season is upon us, and with pep rallies, football games, and dances happening throughout the County, the Wyandot County Safe Communities Coalition and local law enforcement agencies are asking parents to talk to their kids about being responsible.
Many parents underestimate the influence they have on their teen’s behavior, and this includes how they drive. Talking with them about the real world consequences of poor decisions, and what you expect of them, could mean the difference between life and death. This is particularly important when your child is driving to and from homecoming events. So help bring your kids home alive this Homecoming season by reminding your teen of, and enforcing, these safe driving rules;
• Never use mobile communication devices while driving. In Ohio it is illegal for teens under 18 to use a cell phone while driving, and for anyone to text and drive.
• Reinforce the importance of buckling-up. Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways for teens to stay safe in a vehicle and reduce their chance of a serious crash-related injury and/or death by about half, and, it’s the law.
• If you the parent of a younger driver, Remember that for the first 12 months of holding a probationary license, your teen driver can’t drive between midnight and 6 a.m. and can have only one non-family passenger.
• Never drink and drive. Underage consumption of alcohol is illegal; there is no legal limit (zero tolerance) for underage drinking and driving. Talk to your teen about never being a passenger in a vehicle where the driver may have been consuming alcohol; even if it is their date.
Parents, please remember that driving is the most dangerous thing a teen can do. More teenagers are killed in traffic crashes than any other cause. Reinforce these driving rules to assure a safe Homecoming season. For additional resources related to teen safe driving, follow the Wyandot County Public Health on Facebook.
