"Mom I Need Money for a Lawyer"

Thoughts on Teens Drinking and Driving 

The phone call came in the spring of 2006.  My son was a couple of months shy of 18. Living with his father in another state, he had gotten a job working with some business owners they knew from church.  One late night, my son and another employee hung out at work - drinking and talking. When it was time to head home, my son realized his coworker was too drunk to drive.  He decided to take him home using the company's truck.  Little did he realize, he too was too drunk to drive.  As would happen they got in an accident on the freeway.

My son was hauled down to the jail and charged with a DUI.  He thought he was being a "good Samaritan" in driving the coworker home.  He minimized the impact the alcohol had on himself.  Next he had to hire a lawyer, go to court, pay fines, attend a DUI school.  He lost his license and ended up having a probationary period.  All for a night of fun . . . drinking after work.

Drunk driving is the symptom.

Alcohol abuse is the problem.

According to Mother's Against Drunk Driving: "10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes - one every 50 minutes and teenagers between 15 - 20 years old have about 20% more fatal car wrecks than any other age group."

So how can your teenager stay safe behind the wheel?

Here are some things you as a parent can do:

* Have your teen take driver's education.

* Practice driving with your teen.

* Teach your teen safe driving principles.

* Guide your teen in how to manage road hazards.

* Educate your teen on the effects of drugs and alcohol.

Enforce driving rules:  

  * No driving after a certain hour.

  * Do not drink and drive.

  * Call for a ride instead of getting in a car with a drunk driver.

  * No texting while driving.

  * Always wear a seat belt.

Because the chance of a deadly crash occurring with each additional passenger,  it is critical for parents to set limits with their teen on the number of passengers in a car. It is also helpful to limit driving at night and on weekends for the same reason.

Getting a driver's license is an American right of passage.  Let's work together to make sure our teens drive responsibily.

For more information on this topic check out MADD at http://www.madd.org/.

Emergency Landing at the Children's Hospital

Why Mothers Are Against Drunk Driving

I am spending the night in a city hotel where I have a view of the Children's Hospital.  I first realized I was near the hospital when a helicopter flew over and landed at the hospital.  Tonight while I was working on my computer, I could hear the stuttering noise of the helicopter engine preparing to take off.  That noise flooded my mind with memories.

Helicopter Pad at a Children's Hospital.

Several years ago, I worked as a Chaplain Intern in a hospital. I was assigned to work in the trauma room which is where the most critically injured patients are treated upon arrival to the Emergency Room.   We had a trauma helicopter crew who would life flight patients to the hospital.  It was my job to notify family members that their loved one was in the hospital.  

I will never forget one spring evening, four teenagers were brought into the Emergency Room.  They were on the way to the prom when a truck t-boned their car at an intersection.  The young driver of the car suffered a brain injury and was close to death.  I remember the phone call I made to his mother.  She was visiting another state. She was riding in the back of a cab when she answered the phone.  I informed her that her son had not made it to the prom that night.  I could hear her fear through the phone.  She was able to find a flight home. Her son was kept alive until they were reunited.  He died shortly after her visit.   

Four teenagers on their way to a prom,  full of anticipation for the evening's events.  They were innocent to the dangers of the evening.  They did not expect to have a fatal car crash with an intoxicated driver.  

I hear the helicopter arriving at the hospital as I am typing.  I am wondering who they will retrieve tonight.  Is it a young child?  I am thinking of the family and the terror they must feel to have their loved one helicoptered to the hospital.  

Quietly, I say a prayer for this family . . .  asking God for grace.

www.stages2change.com

"Mom, I NEED Money for a Lawyer"

Thoughts on Teens Drinking and Driving

In the Spring of 2006, I received a phone call from my son who was living with his father in another state, "Mom, I need money for a lawyer."

My son was a couple of months shy of 18.  He started working for a businessman who attended his church.  One late night, my son and another employee hung out at work - drinking and talking.  When it was time to head home, my son realized his coworker was too drunk to drive.  He decided to take him home using the company's truck.  Little did he realize, he was too drunk to drive.  As would happen they were in an accident on the freeway.

My son was arrested and hauled down to jail where he had to call his father for a ride home. 

He was charged with a DUI.  He thought he was being a "good Samaritan" in driving a drunk coworker home.  He minimized the impact alcohol had on himself.  Next he had to hire a lawyer, go to court, pay fines, attend a DUI school. He lost his license and ended up having a probationary period.  All for a night of fun . . . drinking after work.

Drunk driving is the symptom.

Alcohol abuse is the problem.

According to Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD): "10,839 people will die in drunk driving crashes - one every 50 minutes and teenagers between 15 - 20 years old have about 20% more fatal car wrecks than any other age group."

So HOW can your teenager stay safe behind the wheel?

Here are some things you can do as a parent:

* Have your teen take a driver's education class.

* Practice driving with your teenager.

* Teach your teen safe driving principles.

* Guide your teen in how to manage road hazards.

* Educate your teen on the effects of alcohol and drugs.

Enforce driving rules:

* Absolutely no drinking and driving.

* No driving after a certain hour.

* Call for a ride instead of getting in a car with a drunk driver.

* No texting while driving.

* Always wear a seat belt.

Because the chance of a deadly crash occurring with each passenger increases, it is critical for parents to set limits with their teen on the number of passengers in a car.  It is also helpful to limit driving at night and on weekends for the same reason.

Getting a driver's license is an American right of passage.  Let's work together to make sure our teens drive responsibly.

For more information on this topic, check out MADD at www.madd.org

www.stages2change.com