Prom Night Perils

This product was supported by SAMHSA grant funding.

Prom is at the heart of Safe and Sober’s mission. It’s how our organization was founded – by offering high school students the chance to pledge sobriety on prom night. Now, over a decade and a half later, prom night safety is still a priority for us.

Prom has evolved through the years, but one thing is still true: some students use the night to drink.

Know the Numbers

Prom season is one of the most dangerous times of year for teens, with one third of teen drunk driving fatalities happening between April-June.

From AAA’s 2022 teen survey, here are some important things to know with prom season right around the corner:

• 30% of students ages 16-19 believe they or their friends will consume drugs or alcohol during prom/graduation season.
• 82% say their friends are more likely to drive impaired than call an adult for help.
• 31% personally know peers with DUIs.
• 21% have been driven by someone under the influence.
• 26% have (at least once) asked a parent to pick them up to avoid getting in the car with an impaired driver, or to avoid driving impaired.
• And more.

Safety Tips for Parents

Parents play an important role in teen safety, especially during prom. Teens need to know they have a support system that will get them out of any hairy situations. Here are some simple suggestions from FamilyEducation that you can use to make sure your teen has a safe prom night:

• Be informed of the plan – What are the times, is there a meal, is there an after-party, etc.
• Come up with an emergency code – If your teen is in danger, they’ll need a quick way to let you know they need help, and you’ll need a discreet way to pick them up.
• Know what’s in your house – If your teen is hosting any friends at your house after prom, keep any alcohol or prescription drugs safely stored away.
• Know the drivers – Is the driver reliable and trustworthy? If not, find alternatives for your teen.
• Talk about car safety – Whether it’s your teen or someone else driving, make sure they’re aware of all that could go wrong, and how to stop it.

Most importantly, have a conversation with your teen about any concerns you have, and any questions they might have. Give them all the tools they need to have a safe night and enjoyable experience.

For more resources to start a conversation: