top of page

Weed Out the Confusion

Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD provide tips and tools for parents on how to help prevent teens from driving under the influence.​

A new study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), reveals that a third of all teens surveyed (33%) perceive it to be legal to drive under the influence of marijuana in states where it’s been legalized for recreational use. Notably, 27% of parents surveyed believe it to be legal as well. While the survey found that 93% of parents think driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous, only 76% feel that driving under the influence of marijuana is dangerous. The teen survey data echoes these findings with 88% of teens saying that driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous compared to just 68% saying marijuana is dangerous.

Overall, the study indicates that teens are receiving mixed messages about the dangers of marijuana use and driving, potentially putting themselves and others at risk, particularly with a quarter of teens (22%) admitting that driving under the influence of marijuana is common among their friends. Furthermore, only 73% of teens think that marijuana makes someone a worse driver while 88% feel the same about alcohol.

Data from leading national authorities indicate that these recent survey findings point to a societal misunderstanding for both parents and teens alike: that DUI of marijuana isn’t dangerous. According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), marijuana consumption can impair your driving skills just like driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Driving under the influence of marijuana significantly impairs motor coordination, judgment and reaction time,” said Mike Sample, MS, CSP, lead driving safety expert and technical consultant at Liberty Mutual. “Parents and teens alike must appreciate the importance of not driving under the influence of marijuana to help keep everyone safe on the road.”

Also according to the study, while the majority of parents say they are talking to teens about the dangers of DUI and marijuana use (78%), only 53% of teens recall having had these conversations with their parents.

“Parents are the most important role models for teens and have an opportunity to hold more conversations with them about the dangers of driving under the influence, whether it’s driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs that can impair driving,” said Dr. Gene Beresin, senior advisor on adolescent psychiatry with SADD and Executive Director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Starting a dialogue early and engaging teens about the dangers of driving high before they have their license can be an effective way to reinforce the message prior to getting behind the wheel.”

How Parents Can Discuss the Dangers of Driving Under the Influence

Teens of all ages look to their parents as role models. Dr. Gene Beresin and Mike Sample offer the following tips to help parents encourage safe driving practices:

  • Open the door for conversation: Parents should not lecture, but should talk with their teens about safe driving practices beginning at a young age. The survey found that less than half (43%) of teens who don’t yet have their license or permit recall a conversation about driving under the influence of marijuana prior to receiving their permit or license. Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD encourage parents and teens to use the Teen Driving Contract as a conversation starter and discussion guide. This tool covers important safety issues and is an easy roadmap for parents and teens alike to uphold family driving rules.

  • Set clear rules: Parents must set clear expectations with their teens. Whether their teen has a driver’s license or plans on driving with a friend, parents should make it very clear that there’s absolutely no driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It could mean a loss of their license or even their life.

  • Create a secret code: In case teens find themselves in a vulnerable situation, parents and teens can create a secret code together, such as a text code “222” or a safety code phrase to alert their parents that they need to be picked up with a “no questions asked” policy. Teens should always feel comfortable reaching out to their parents and asking for help in a potentially uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

For more information, and to download the Teen Driving Contract, visit www.libertymutual.com/teendriving.

Recent Posts
!
Widget Didn’t Load
Check your internet and refresh this page.
If that doesn’t work, contact us.
bottom of page