The temperatures are high once again in Bergen County. That’s a sure sign that the end of the school year is looming.
For parents, that can mean a shuffled schedule, as they must arrange supervision of youngsters. But for teens, it brings the heady presumption of unfettered freedom. But that freedom comes with a caveat.
Teens at risk for DWI arrest/underage drinking arrests
That freedom, however, can have a high cost if teens get caught underage drinking and driving. Parents should monitor their sons’ and daughters’ sobriety and ensure they understand they can never drive on any level of drugs or alcohol.
Their natural exuberance and not-yet-fully-developed prefrontal cortexes frequently cause teenagers to make bad decisions. It is their parents’ job to determine whether the teens are mature enough to get drivers’ licenses.
What all teens need to learn
Drivers of all ages need to know what to do if stopped by police. Below are some tips parents can teach their teens so they are prepared for their first traffic stop:
- Remain civil to the police
- Don’t lie to law enforcement officers
- Don’t volunteer information
- Exercise their right to remain silent
These are just a few tips that can help a teen de-escalate conflict and remain compliant with the law without ceding any of their rights against self-incrimination.
Be your teen’s advocate
If your teen gets arrested for drunk or drugged driving, it’s perfectly natural to be upset, worried and angry. But your first priority should be ensuring that your child is safe. Arranging for bail and criminal representation are the first steps after an arrest on charges.