Drugged Driving as Common as Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among Teens
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Each day, more than 9,000 new driver's
licenses are issued to 16- and 17-year-olds nationwide, the very same age
group that is at greatest risk for marijuana use, and a 2005 survey reveals
that these teens say that cars are the second most popular place for smoking
marijuana. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is partnering
with driving schools and other leading health, safety and youth-serving
organizations to warn parents of the prevalence and dangers of drugged driving
and to provide information to help teens "Steer Clear of Pot."
More than 2.9 million driving-age teens reported lifetime use of
marijuana, and last year more than 750,000 16- and 17-year-olds reported
driving under the influence of illicit drugs. According to the 2004-2005 PRIDE
Surveys, when asked where they use, approximately one in seven (14%) high
school seniors cited "in a car," making cars the second most popular location
after at "a friend's house" (20.4%).
"Parents need to realize that drugged driving is nearly as common today
among teens as alcohol-impaired driving," said John P. Walters, Director,
National Drug Control Policy. "Marijuana impairs many of the skills required
for safe driving, such as concentration, coordination, perception and reaction
time, and these effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking the drug -- It
is critical that parents know the dangers associated with drugged driving and
are vigilant in monitoring their teen drivers, especially young, less
experienced drivers."
Monitoring the Future data shows that approximately one in six (15%) teens
reported driving under the influence of marijuana, a number nearly equivalent
to those who reported driving under the influence of alcohol (16%). A recent
study from a large shock trauma unit found that 19 percent of automobile crash
victims under age 18 tested positive for marijuana.
"Getting a driver's license is a milestone in a teen's life that goes
beyond the road to symbolize independence and freedom," said Thomas "Buddy"
Gleaton, Ed.D., President, PRIDE Surveys. "In the more than 20 years that
PRIDE Surveys has been tracking teen drug use, teens consistently report
engaging in risky behaviors in cars. Parents need to keep a watchful eye to be
effective in reversing these trends."
ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is providing parents and
teens with information about the risks of drugged driving through a renewed
"Steer Clear of Pot" initiative. The Media Campaign will underscore the
harmful effects of teen marijuana use and drugged driving through the
promotion of free materials, including a "New Drivers Kit" for teens and
parents, available with other new content on the Media Campaign's Web site for
parents, http://www.TheAntiDrug.com .
In addition, "Steer Clear of Pot" partners will distribute drugged driving
and marijuana prevention materials to driver's education teachers, teens, and
parents nationwide:
-- The American College of Emergency Physicians will inform its
nationwide membership base of 15,000 in 49 chapters of "Steer Clear of
Pot" resources through its newsletter and Web site;
-- The Driving School Association of the Americas will include
information about the initiative in its magazine, The Dual News, which
is distributed to 8,000 professional driving schools and 50,000
driving school educators, and will promote available resources on the
organization's Web site;
-- The Emergency Nurses Association will inform its 28,000 members about
available resources through its monthly newsletter; and
-- GEICO, the fifth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United
States, has incorporated the Media Campaign's messages into its
existing "Can I Borrow the Car?" teen driving and safety materials and
is providing co-branded versions of those materials through the
Campaign's "New Drivers Kit." The company continues to distribute
co-branded "Steer Clear of Pot" materials and promote the Media
Campaign's resources to its 5.5 million policyholders and 22,000 GEICO
associates.
"Driver's education and behind-the-wheel training are at the foundation
for developing safe driving skills," said Bradley Huspek, President, Driving
School Association of the Americas. "Parents and driving instructors play a
critical role in educating teens about being responsible drivers and steering
clear from drugs."
Experts say parental supervision and setting clear rules are associated
with less risky teen behavior. A recent SADD/Liberty Mutual Group report found
that nearly 60 percent of teens who drive say their parents have the most
influence on their driving, followed by 27 percent who say their friends are
most influential. Parents can take action and help their teen "steer clear of
pot" with simple steps such as:
-- checking the car for signs of drug paraphernalia;
-- setting limits on driving in risky conditions;
-- knowing where their teen is going and what route they intend to drive;
and
-- reinforcing safe driving practices by driving together.
Since its inception in 1998, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
has conducted outreach to millions of parents, teens and communities to reduce
and prevent teen drug use. Counting on an unprecedented blend of public and
private partnerships, non-profit community service organizations,
volunteerism, and youth-to-youth communications, the Campaign is designed to
reach Americans of diverse backgrounds with effective anti-drug messages.
For more information on the ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign,
visit http://www.MediaCampaign.org .
SOURCE The Office of National Drug Control Policy
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Related links:
http://www.TheAntiDrug.com
http://www.MediaCampaign.org
CONTACT:
Rafael Lemaitre of ONDCP, +1-202-395-6618, or
Rosanna Maietta of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-202-828-9706
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