Teens More Likely To DUI On New Year's Eve

According to a survey conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions, an overwhelming majority of nearly 2,300 teens surveyed — 94 percent — said they would stop driving under the influence of alcohol if asked by a passenger. Ninety percent of teens would stop driving under the influence of marijuana if asked by a passenger.

 

The survey of almost 2,300 students in 11th and 12th grades asked them about how they perceived various holidays and events in terms of dangerous days to drive. Here are the results.

 

• New Year's Eve: 49 percent view it as a very dangerous or extremely dangerous day to drive; 10 percent of teen say they have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol on this night.
• Fourth of July: 29 percent say Independence Day is very dangerous or extremely dangerous to drive; 8 percent say they have driven under the influence that day.
• Prom night: 20 percent consider prom night to be very dangerous or extremely dangerous; 6 percent say they have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol on prom night.
• Of the teens surveyed, 6 percent said they have driven under the influence after homecoming, and, separately, high school football games. Four percent admit driving under the influence after graduation or a post-graduation party.

"New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate both the past year and the possibilities of the year to come, yet far too often poor decisions by teens result in tragic injuries and deaths," said Stephen Wallace, senior adviser for policy, research and education at SADD. "To avoid a fatal start to the New Year, teen passengers need to use their voices if they have concerns about their friends' behaviors. They will be heard."

Prior to New Year's Eve, parents need to have a conversation with their teen drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and fatigue as well as how to be a good driver and a good passenger," said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual and managing director of global safety. "Teens also need to be prepared for dangerous behaviors of other drivers who will be impaired on New Year's Eve."

December

Isaiah 41:10  Fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.


Example's December event was fun and very encouraging.  The event began with adults in recovery talking about their experiences, mistakes and desire to lead a drug-free life.  Shane, Matthew and Andrew spoke on behalf of F.A.N. Families Against Narcotics and shared their experiences with Example in order to encourage young men and women to avoid the pressures of drug and alcohol use.  Mark Rudolph a F.A.N. board member introduced the speaker and also shared his story on how he lost his son Ryan to a drug overdose four years ago.
While the stories were difficult to share, the speakers did an excellent job revealing the deadly consequences of foolish, destructive decisions.  Their stories and willingness to help other young men and women was very encouraging.

1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

And when we fail and are taken in by the devil's schemes, we know that through repentance and God's gift of mercy in His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The evening continued with some Christmas song trivia and culminated with Queen Anna, last year's Ugly Christmas Sweater champion, crowning this year's King, Dustin.

On the Left: The five finalists proudly display some of the most hideous Christmas sweaters on the planet.


On the Right: Dustin proudly accepts the winning prize for the ugliest Christmas sweater: red and green M&Ms.


Example alumni Coleson, Alayna, Katie, Amanda, Olivia, Kyle, Logan, Rachel, Becky and Queen Anna also joined in the festivities and served as judges for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.  Thank you, alumni for returning and continuing to promote Example.

Romans 8:37-39 ...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

December's Example Event

Example’s December activity is this Saturday from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  The event is open to Lutheran North students and the cost is $3.00.  Example alumni are invited to the event.  As always there will be the Example Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest and other fun activities.  

Example’s guest speaker will be Mark Rudolph, the executive director of F.A.N. Families Against Narcotics.  Mark will share how FAN came into being after the death of his son to drug abuse in 2007 and what the organization is doing to help fight this growing problem in all of our communities.