This activity will help you facilitate a guided discussion with your peers to address their attitudes and behaviors around impaired driving and starts a conversation about the negative effect impairment has on car crashes and how teens can speak up for their safety. |
Items Needed
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Steps
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- 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.
- 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.
- References:
- 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.
- Submit an online activity form to get credit for your efforts.
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Don’t Forget
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The goal of this activity is to have an easy-to-manage but educational conversation to help you and your peers learn more about the impact impairment has on car crashes and to begin a dialogue on ways to speak up for your safety.
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
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- 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.
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