For the first time since its inception, there will be no Sober Prom simulation at NDB this year. This highly-anticipated event gives students a reality check of the dangers associated with impaired driving. Although this event will not be taking place this year, it is still important to recognize the shocking statistics that affect teenage drivers. Believe it or not, car crashes are the number-one killer of teens in the United States.

According to the CDC, Drinking and driving among teens in high school has gone down by 54% since 1991. Still, high school teens drive after drinking about 2.4 million times a month. It needs to be acknowledged that one-in-ten teens in high school drinks and drives and eight teens die every day in driving under the influence (DUI) crashes.

On a more positive note, researchers have found that there are several factors that can reduce drinking and driving among young adults. These factors include minimum legal drinking age and zero tolerance laws, parental involvement, and graduated driver licensing systems.

With so many transportation options available, such as Uber, Lyft, and rides from parents, the goal is still the same: To arrive at your destination safely. Drunk driving will forever change your life. Penalties can include loss of life (yours, a loved ones, a stranger), severe injuries, penalties or fines, time behind bars, and a revoked driver’s license. Not to mention, having a DUI permanently on your record. The seriousness of this offense can have major consequences when entering adulthood, such as difficulty finding employment. This is the key message behind Sober Prom. It is unfortunate that it will not be performed by the seniors this year, nor viewed by the NDB community.

Being the responsible students that we are, we can choose to never drink and drive, refuse to ride in a car with a teen driver or anyone who has been drinking, follow the “rules of the road,” wear a seat belt on every trip (no matter how short), obey speed limits, and never use a cell phone or text while driving. Together we can keep one another safe, as well as those in our community and beyond.