For teenagers, prom season is an exciting time to dress up, dance and make memories with friends. But amidst all the fun and festivities, there’s a concerning reality that often accompanies prom season: teen traffic fatalities increase.
Prom may be a cherished tradition, but these prom factors that also surround it can spawn dangerous consequences for others — especially out on the road. Learning about prom season and teen traffic fatality trends can help teens, parents and communities implement safe prom season strategies.
Teen Traffic Fatalities and Prom Season
The months surrounding prom bring on more traffic accidents involving teens. One third of all teen alcohol related traffic fatalities that occur, occur during prom season, which typically in the spring. The reasons are variable, but prom excitement and social pressures can mean risky behavior leading to tragic ends.
Underage drinking laws notwithstanding, pre and post prom gatherings are often a part of prom night and sometimes include alcohol or other substances. For many teens, prom is their first exposure to these environments — and it’s easy for teens to feel overwhelmed or pressured.
Teens are also not the only ones at risk; even if kids don’t drink themselves, they can end up on cars driven by friends or classmates who might have been drinking. So, if you want to understand how prom season impacts teen traffic fatalities, continue reading this article.
The Role of Alcohol and Drugs in Prom-Related Accidents
A lot of car accidents happen because people are drunk or high. This is especially true for teens who may not have much experience driving. Even though they are too young to legally drink, some teens still do it on prom night because they think it will make their “once in a lifetime” experience better.
When you mix alcohol, excitement, and sometimes even group pressure, you might not be able to make good decisions, which can put you in dangerous situations on the road.
Studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol can make it hard for a teen driver to concentrate, handle quick changes, and make smart choices. Teenagers also don’t realize how much alcohol hurts them, especially if they’ve never drunk it before. This lack of knowledge, along with the excitement of prom night, can make the roads very dangerous, with terrible results. Find out more here https://www.kttc.com/2023/04/27/family-shares-story-loss-remind-teens-drive-safely-this-prom-season/.
Distracted Driving – An Invisible Risk
During prom season, teens are most likely to get into accidents when they are drunk or confused. Lots of fun things happen on prom night, and teens often take selfies, call, or text friends to share the memories of the night right away. But these things take their attention away from the road, which increases the chance of an accident. Looking at your phone or talking to people for even a short time can be very dangerous, especially if you are a new driver.
Not only using a cell phone while driving is distracting. Being in a car with a lot of friends, loud music, and the general energy of prom night can make it easy for teens to lose focus on driving. Plus, having a lot of people in the car can make distractions worse, making it harder for a teen driver to steer clear of danger and stay focused.
Fatigue – An Overlooked Danger
On prom night, there are often events that start late at night and go on until early in the morning. Teenagers may be tired after a long night of dancing, hanging out with friends, and maybe even driving to different after-prom parties.
Being tired makes it much harder to drive because it slows down reaction times and makes it harder to make decisions. For kids who don’t know how to handle long drives already, driving at night and while tired can be very dangerous.
According to research, being tired while driving can be just as dangerous as being drunk while driving. It’s easier to fall asleep at the wheel, reactions take longer, and judgment gets cloudy. For kids who are trying hard to stay awake after a night of partying, being tired can ruin a night that should have been fun. Click this page for more.
Peer Pressure and Risky Behavior
One of the most interesting things about prom night is the mix of social standards, excitement, and peer pressure. When kids want to “go all out” on prom night, they might do things they wouldn’t normally think about. To please their friends, they might feel like they have to drink, drive faster, or take risks. Sometimes, they will even get into a car with someone they know has been drinking.
This stress can come from wanting to fit in or thinking that prom is an important event in your life. But social pressures and lack of knowledge can make people make bad decisions behind the wheel. Giving teens the confidence to say “no” to risky behavior and make safe choices can help them handle these scenarios better.
