Protecting Children from Drunken Drivers
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Updated October 21, 2014.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving has prepared a series of tips for families and agencies who work with children to prevent them from becoming victims while riding with intoxicated drivers:
If you see an adult who is visibly impaired attempting to drive with a child in the car, calmly suggest alternative transportation, recommend the driver postpone travel, or offer to drive the child. Also, call 911 with as much information as possible, document the situation, and notify another parent or caregiver immediately.
Parents dealing with repeat violations, child custody and visitation should ask a third party, like a neighbor, to witness when the child is picked up, and request a court-ordered alcohol and drug assessment that will consider some of the provisions described in MADD's recommendations.
Caregivers should teach children techniques for keeping themselves safe. If children are forced to ride with an impaired driver, they should sit quietly in the back seat with their seat belts buckled and their belongings on the floor, and tell a trusted grown-up immediately about any unsafe ride. Adults interested in empowering children with these tips and other safety messages, can request that MADD's nationally-recognized Protecting You/Protecting Me program be incorporated into their elementary school curriculum.
MADD is the premiere organization working to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501(c) 3 charity with 600 chapters and 2 million members nationwide.
Nearly 270,000 lives have been saved since MADD's founding in 1980. For more information, visit MADD.org or call 1-800-GET-MADD.
Updated October 21, 2014.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving has prepared a series of tips for families and agencies who work with children to prevent them from becoming victims while riding with intoxicated drivers:
If you see an adult who is visibly impaired attempting to drive with a child in the car, calmly suggest alternative transportation, recommend the driver postpone travel, or offer to drive the child. Also, call 911 with as much information as possible, document the situation, and notify another parent or caregiver immediately.
Parents dealing with repeat violations, child custody and visitation should ask a third party, like a neighbor, to witness when the child is picked up, and request a court-ordered alcohol and drug assessment that will consider some of the provisions described in MADD's recommendations.
Caregivers should teach children techniques for keeping themselves safe. If children are forced to ride with an impaired driver, they should sit quietly in the back seat with their seat belts buckled and their belongings on the floor, and tell a trusted grown-up immediately about any unsafe ride. Adults interested in empowering children with these tips and other safety messages, can request that MADD's nationally-recognized Protecting You/Protecting Me program be incorporated into their elementary school curriculum.
MADD is the premiere organization working to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501(c) 3 charity with 600 chapters and 2 million members nationwide.
Nearly 270,000 lives have been saved since MADD's founding in 1980. For more information, visit MADD.org or call 1-800-GET-MADD.
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