Country singer Randy Travis made headlines for his recent arrest after being found highly intoxicated and naked in the middle of a rural road in Texas. Given this was his second offense; we saw his mug shots splattered across tabloids and papers.
DUI arrests have become the norm in Hollywood. One example that goes forever is Lindsay Lohan who continues to be known as a party girl after numerous charges that including DUI, hit and run, and theft. Sadly she still earns over $2 million per year.
It seems that anyone in the public eye does pay off when it comes to the law. However the normal every day person may lose their jobs following serious legal matters like a DUI. Keep in mind with legislators cracking down on drunk driving, the consequences are becoming harsher and pricier - not something many people would like to pay for in the current economy.
This is why it is vital to talk to your children about the harm drinking and driving, amongst all the danger in doing drugs. The best age to talk to your children about drugs and alcohol is at a younger age prior to your child getting a permit to drive, prior to your child reaching his or her first age as a teenager - leaving the best age to have this talk is at the age of 9 or 10 years old. Talk about the dangers to your child on this topic, even ask your children to write an essay for you after you educate him or her about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Reason I stress an earlier age to teach and talk to children about drugs and alcohol prior to reaching the teenage platoon age is because as they get older during their teen years, it is harder to get teens to listen and understand the dangers and consequences of what drugs and alcohol can do to a person all around and all together.
When adults talk to kids about the dangers of drinking and driving, kids will be more absorbed to listen prior to reaching those teen years then a young teen who is about to get their driver's license. The best type of teaching and talking is using examples from those in the spotlight that are celebrities because it is in print, with their mug shots, and their criminal offences is not only public record - but written in every paper, tabloid and internet media source.
Teenagers assume they are invincible and nothing bad is ever going to happen to them when it comes to this subject. Truth is in reality bad things do happen. Fact: nearly 3,000 teenagers die each year due to alcohol and drug related car accidents. It is the leading cause of death amongst the agesof 15 to 20 year-olds.
Start talking to your children beginning at that age of 9 and 10. And every year, continue to have that talk, no matter what. Remember, having that talk with your child constantly also means you are drilling in education of the dangers of drugs and alcohol - and in reality saving their life and others simply because you are educating them early and yearly on the same subject so they don't forget.
