Let’s Talk… Impaired Driving Prevention

 Items Needed

• Let’s Talk… Impaired Driving Discussion Guide
• Not Everyone is Doing it video

 Steps

1. Before your group discussion, research the topic to ensure you are knowledgeable on the subject. The References noted in this document are a good place to start.
   The references noted below are a good place to start.
2. Plan out your discussion using these suggested conversation starters and talking points:
   • Suggested conversation starters:
     • In your opinion, why do people drive impaired?
     • Have you ever knowingly ridden with someone who was impaired?
     • Show the Not Everyone is Doing It video
   • Suggested talking points:
     • Share impaired driving statistics related to young drivers and talk about their effect on your community.
     • Does your state have a Zero Tolerance Law? If so, talk about what that means.
     • Talk about how alcohol and other drugs, such as marijuana, affect the brain and how that could impact driving ability.
     • What are some common misconceptions about impaired driving?
     • Having a plan – what to do if you find yourself needing a safe ride home.
     • Discuss changes you can make as young drivers to break the deadly cycle of impaired driving crashes.
     • Challenge your peers to pledge to never drive impaired and to speak up when they see others driving impaired or riding with someone who is. Remember – not everyone is doing it.
     • Ask why they may think impaired driving car crashes go up after 18 years of age to age 25.
3. References:
   • https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fmotorvehiclesafety%2Fteen_drivers%2Fteendrivers_factsheet.html
   • https://tti.tamu.edu/researcher/changing-our-mindset-tti-research-reveals-a-disconnect-between-belief-and-behavior-in-teen-drivers/
   • https://www.responsibility.org/alcohol-statistics/underage-drinking-statistics
   • https://asklistenlearn.org/
   • https://www.madd.org/the-solution/teen-drinking-prevention
   • https://txsdy.org/
   • https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/does-marijuana-use-affect-driving
   • https://www.teendriversource.org/teen-crash-risks-prevention/rules-of-the-road/impaired-driving
4. Post photos of your group discussion on your social media channels to further promote the message of safe driving and tag @teensdriverseat so we can see your great work, too.
5. Submit an online activity form to get credit for your efforts.

Don’t Forget

Create a safe and welcoming space for this dialogue. Some ideas to do this are: sit in a circle so everyone can see everybody; take a minute to allow everyone to be present in the room and ask that people respect that what is shared won’t leave this room; and remind people there is no judgment.

 Make it GREAT

• Not everyone likes to speak up in groups, so ask people to write down their thoughts as well to reflect on later.
• Check out the Speak (C)up! Not Everyone is Doing It activity
• Post the Not Everyone is Doing It video on your school or group’s social media pages or consider creating your own version to share.
• Challenge your peers to pledge to never drive impaired using our Promise ZERO.O resources.
• Ask other organizations/clubs on your campus if your TDS team can come to a meeting and use this discussion guide to talk to their members about impaired driving, too.
• Utilize your TDS kit and resources, such as posters, yard signs, etc. to reinforce messaging.