Evidence has now come to light suggesting that parents may have a much stronger influence on their teenagers’ drinking habits than they were aware of. A new study has found that children of parents who drive under the influence are more likely to drive drunk themselves.
The study, which involved a survey of 67,500 people over age 12, found that 18-percent of teens who had a mother who drove drunk were also likely to drive under the influence, compared to just 11 percent of those whose mothers did not drink and drive. Likewise, 21 percent of teenagers who had a father who drove under the influence also drove drunk, as compared to just 8 percent of teenagers whose fathers did not drink and drive.
The research, which was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has been released just in time for the DUI-heavy holiday season. More drivers in New Jersey will be pulled over during this time of year, as law enforcement agencies increase enforcement activities because of the holidays.
Positive parental behavior is definitely one thing that New Jersey DUI lawyers advise to prevent a DUI arrest involving a teenage child. Teenagers are more likely to find certain behaviors acceptable if their parents indulge in the behaviors, and drunk driving is definitely on that list. A DUI conviction in New Jersey can lead to a license suspension, as well as fines and compulsory participation in a DUI education program.
The New Jersey DUI lawyers at Helmer Paul Conley and Kasselman represent persons who have been arrested for DUI across New Jersey.
