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In theory, a designated driver is supposed to be someone chosen before the party begins – someone who doesn’t drink at all. But according to recent surveys, many teens believe it’s the “least drunk” driver who should get the car keys.
Just ask teenagers how they chose a designated driver.
“Whoever volunteers, I guess,” says 16-year-old Ryan.
“[There is a] 25 to 50 percent chance that that person’s going to end up drinking anyways,” says Garrett, 16.
“At a party, I mean, everyone else gets ridiculous,” explains Melissa, 17. “And there’s one person [who says], ‘Well, I’ve only had four shots. I haven’t had a bunch.’ [And other teenagers say], ‘Okay, you’re good. Drive us home.’”
According to a new Canadian study, the first problem is 20 percent of teens start drinking and then choose a designated driver. Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 30 percent of teens pick a driver who has been drinking.
“Part of the problem is that we don’t really get across the correct notion of what it means to be a designated driver,” says Len Pagano with the Safe America Foundation. “It doesn’t mean to be the one with the least amount of alcohol in your system.”
Dan Ruede, 19, has scars on his face today because he was riding with a designated driver who had been drinking. He figured since the party was so close to his house, he’d be alright.
“It was a very short ride,” he explains, “a two-minute ride at the most.”
“They were drinking,” says his father, Robert. “They weren’t thinking, and I guess what happened is the kid hit the gas instead of the brake and they hit the tree.”
Experts say parents should have their kids explain exactly when and how they choose a designated driver.
“And just kind of get an understanding from your teen’s perspective of what [he/she thinks] is acceptable,” adds Pagano. “ Then you can deal with the reality of teaching them.”
He says to remind them that any amount of alcohol can impair a driver and dramatically increase the chance they will be arrested, injured or even killed.
“Try to get them to understand that you don’t want to make a night of supposed fun into a night of tragedy,” he says.
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