As the end of the school year draws near, the Los Angeles Police Department would like to highlight the gravity of juvenile drunk-driving problem nationwide. Drunk driving is still the leading cause of death among teenagers.
Statistics reveal that eight young people a day die in alcohol-related crashes.
Many of these deaths occur in the Spring and Summer months when youth activities including prom night and graduation parties present occasions for some teenagers to experiment with alcohol. Teenagers' tendency to drink alcohol despite laws prohibiting sale of alcohol to minors, combined with their relative lack of experience at driving produces a dangerous combination. Parents are reminded, at this time of the year especially, to discuss the issue of driving under the influence and its serious effects with their children and to advise their children that the LAPD, the California Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies place a high priority on DUI enforcement. The following facts and figures have been compiled for parents and youths to use in order to educate themselves, their friends and loved ones about the dangers of drinking and driving. One person is killed every half-hour due to drunk driving.