Get clear, parent-focused guidance on teen drunk driving prevention, drugged driving risks, warning signs, and how to talk with your teen before a dangerous choice happens.
About this assessment
Tell us what concerns you most—whether it’s alcohol, marijuana, riding with someone impaired, or prevention planning—and we’ll help you focus on the next right conversation and safety steps.
Parents often search for help when they notice risky attitudes, hear about parties, or worry their teen may underestimate the danger of driving after drinking or using marijuana or other drugs. This page is designed to help you respond early with calm, credible guidance. You’ll find support for recognizing teen impaired driving signs, understanding consequences, and having direct conversations that reduce risk without escalating conflict.
Pay attention if your teen minimizes alcohol and driving safety, jokes about being "fine to drive," or treats marijuana and driving as less serious than drinking. Dismissing the risks is often an early warning sign.
A teen may not plan to drive impaired but may still get in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. Watch for vague transportation plans, late-night ride changes, or reluctance to call home for help.
Look for signs such as secrecy around parties, sudden defensiveness about where they were, impaired judgment, slowed reactions, or stories that do not add up after being out with friends.
Say clearly that your teen should never drive after drinking, using marijuana, or taking any drug that affects judgment or reaction time. Also make it explicit that they should never ride with an impaired driver.
Discuss what they should do if a ride becomes unsafe: call you, leave with a safe adult, use a prearranged code word, or ask for a ride with no immediate punishment for reaching out in the moment.
One talk is rarely enough. Revisit the topic before weekends, dances, games, parties, and other high-risk situations so prevention becomes part of normal driving safety—not just a reaction to a problem.
Make sure your teen knows they can contact you anytime if they feel unsafe. This is one of the most effective ways to keep a teen from driving impaired or riding with someone who is.
Spell out family expectations around alcohol, marijuana, prescription misuse, and driving. Clear rules help teens understand that impaired driving consequences are serious at home, at school, and under the law.
Role-play common situations: a friend offers a ride after drinking, someone says marijuana does not affect driving, or your teen feels pressure not to leave. Rehearsing responses makes safer choices easier in the moment.
Common signs include minimizing the danger of driving after drinking or using marijuana, secrecy about parties or rides, inconsistent stories about transportation, defensiveness when asked about friends, and poor judgment around late-night plans. No single sign proves impaired driving, but patterns matter.
Stay calm, be specific, and focus on safety rather than labels. Explain that alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs can affect reaction time, attention, and judgment. Set clear expectations, ask how they would handle risky situations, and make sure they know they can call you for help anytime.
Both are serious risks. Teens may wrongly believe marijuana makes driving safer or is less impairing than alcohol. In reality, marijuana can affect attention, coordination, reaction time, and decision-making. Parents should address both directly and not assume their teen sees them the same way.
Effective prevention includes clear family rules, repeated conversations before high-risk events, a backup ride plan, no-questions-asked help if your teen feels unsafe, and consequences that are known in advance. Prevention works best when expectations are discussed early and reinforced often.
Consequences can include crashes, injuries, legal penalties, school or sports discipline, loss of driving privileges, and long-term trust issues. Even when no crash occurs, impaired driving can have serious legal and emotional effects for teens and families.
Personalized assessment
Answer a few questions to receive focused support on warning signs, prevention strategies, and the best next steps for talking with your teen about alcohol, marijuana, drugs, and driving safety.