Research shows that kids who begin drinking alcohol at young ages are more likely to be in an alcohol-related motor vehicle crash. Driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances not only poses a serious risk to the lives of young drivers but also endangers their friends and other road users.
While some parents introduce alcohol to their children at a young age, there is no evidence that early exposure to alcohol educates children about responsible drinking or reduces the likelihood of impaired driving in the future.
Shannon Booth, Program Specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), travels around Iowa educating parents on how to talk with their children about substances and impaired driving. Young people have developing brains well into their 20s and should avoid drinking alcohol under the legal age of 21.
“Parents are a child’s first defense against substance use and their direct line to safety if they make a risky decision anyway,” she said. “Kids watch their parents’ actions and learn from them what is acceptable and what is not.”
Here, Booth talks about impaired driving in Iowa and how MADD is educating parents around the state to prevent underage drinking and impaired driving among youth.
Q: Why should Iowans be concerned about impaired driving in Iowa?
A: All Iowans should be concerned about the frequency of impaired driving in our state. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that in 2022 there were 14,228 driver’s license revocations due to OWI (operating while intoxicated/impaired). Impaired driving puts everyone’s lives at risk. Crashes due to impairment are 100% preventable.
In 2023, there were 2,146 crashes in Iowa involving impaired drivers. This resulted in 119 fatalities (33.7% increase from 2022), 262 serious injuries (5.2% increase from 2022), and 614 minor injuries. There were 377 total traffic fatalities in Iowa in 2023 (11.8% increase from 2022) according to Iowa DOT, and 31% of total fatalities stemmed from impaired driving (5% increase from 2022).
In Iowa, 23% of fatal crashes involving a young driver (aged 15-20) involved alcohol-impaired driving. This is compared to 17% of fatal crashes nationally.
Q: What is the role of parents in preventing underage drinking?
A: Our Power of Parents presentation and handbooks are evidence-based. MADD collaborated with Dr. Turrisi of Pennsylvania State University. MADD worked with him to adapt the parent handbook for parents of high school and middle school students to make the community-based program.
We strive to educate parents about how to talk with their children about substances and impaired driving. The goal is to assist parents in being prepared to tackle conversations with their kids about the dangers of substance use on their child’s unmature body and brain, help them to decide what rules and expectations they feel are best for their children, and create a safety plan to ensure their child will not ride with or be an impaired driver.
Parent Handbook: Talking with your high schooler about alcohol (with conversations tips)
Parent Handbook: Talking with your middle schooler about alcohol (with conversation tips)
Q: What is MADD doing to educate parents in the state about preventing impaired driving among youth?
A: MADD Iowa is partnered with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Buruea to bring new education and resources to parents and youth in the state. Through continuing community partnerships and presenting our ‘Power of’ suite, MADD Iowa is working to help decrease the amount of Iowa adolescents using alcohol and cannabis. Through this education, MADD Iowa fights to decrease the number of adolescents driving impaired.
I travel across the state speaking to youth and parents about underage substance use and impaired driving. I present Power of You(th) in classroom settings, assemblies, and at school club conferences. I attend community events and law enforcement conferences, and I partner with organizations throughout Iowa to spread this information and form partnerships. We have also partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to address impaired boating, ATV, and snowmobile usage as well.
Q: What motivates you every day about this work?
A: I came to MADD after working with adjudicated youth and being an adult substance use counselor for many years. I have personally seen the negative impacts of starting to use substances from an earlier age and how important the role of the parent is in each child’s decision-making processes. Working for MADD gives me the ability to reach youth and parents throughout the state. I have a passion for educating about substance use and helping to prevent others from the harms it brings to so many families, communities, and individuals all over the nation.
Q: Where can we go to find more resources on impaired driving?
A: The MADD Power of Parents middle or high school handbooks are available virtually at no cost.
Other MADD resources include:
- Resources for Victims
- Victims can also contact our 24 hour phoneline at 877.MADD.HELP
- You can contact me at booth@madd.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/maddiliawi
- Instagram: @MADDILIAWI
- Safe Rides
- Talking with your high schooler about alcohol
- Impaired driving prevention technology
Published June 7, 2024
Other resources:
Impaired driving (CDC)
Drugged Driving Research (UI Driving Safety Research Institute)
Driver monitoring systems for cannabis and alcohol detection (UI Driving Safety Research Institute)
Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act – honors the family of five killed by a drunk driver in 2019.