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ICBC encourages grad safety

With graduation celebrations underway in communities across the province, ICBC is urging all grads to celebrate safely and asking parents to make sure their teens plan ahead to get home safely from all of their celebrations and parties throughout summer.

With graduation celebrations underway in communities across the province, ICBC is urging all grads to celebrate safely and asking parents to make sure their teens plan ahead to get home safely from all of their celebrations and parties throughout summer.

On average, seven youth aged 16 to 19 are killed in crashes from June to August in B.C. every year.

ICBC asks parents to know the plan every time.

Make a habit of talking to your teen about their plans for getting to and from every celebration and party they attend this summer.

Review a few scenarios with your teen in case their safe ride home falls through, so they’re prepared with other options.

Discuss alternatives — whether it’s transit, a taxi or calling a family member for a ride.

If you haven’t already, consider letting your teen know they can call you at any time if they ever need a ride.

If they do call you for assistance, be supportive and consider saving your questions for the next day or at least until you’re home.

If you aren’t able to pick your teen up yourself, you can always call a taxi to get them home safely.

If your teen is going to be the designated driver, emphasize that a designated driver does not drink at all.

Use real-life scenarios to encourage an open discussion about not allowing passengers or peer pressure to influence their decision-making skills while driving.

If your teen will be getting a ride with a friend, remind them to ask the driver if they’ve had anything to drink before getting into the vehicle if they aren’t certain. Even if you’re confident that your child is going to make the right choices, talk to them about looking out for their friends, especially those they know are easily influenced by others.

Your teen’s choices can have a significant influence on their friends and make it easier for them to take a stand too.



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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