One young man's proposal for underage drinkers
In response to Paul Pinchack's letter to the editor "Parents Must Exercise Control of Teen Drivers" (News Transcript, Dec. 30, 2008), I feel I had to respond as a teen driver.

I am currently in college and I am 18, right in the age group of the teen drivers mentioned in the letter. I have witnessed on numerous occasions at college, friends, roommates and others driving home drunk from various parties, sporting events, etc.

I will not drink and drive and even if I have had just one alcoholic beverage over a celebratory dinner (wine), I will not drive for at least an hour (they gave out a card at school, and for my alcohol level to drop back to 0 it will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes).

My parents have told me about the dangers of drunk driving, how even if I have just one beverage it is better to wait, and if I ever find myself in a situation where I am getting into a car with a drunk driver, or thinking of driving myself, they would rather me call them or take a taxi home (if it happens at school), even at all hours of the night it would be acceptable to wake them for this reason. They also taught the dangers of binge drinking, and basic responsible drinking measures.

The law restricting alcohol to adults over the age of 21 is a great law in theory, but with so many ways to get alcohol, it just provides for more of a thrill to drinking, and trying to get away with it, then drinking responsibly.

If you ask me, the drinking age should be 16 or lower, and education should be a primary goal. The parents should educate as my parents did, on the severe risk behind driving intoxicated, and not only that, but allow the students to recognize when they are too drunk to drive.When the teen does start driving alone, alcohol will not be such a thing to hide. They will be able to call even the most "by the books" parents and let them know they were intoxicated with less of a threat of legal or parental recourse.

Another reason (teens drink and drive) is that most teens are overconfident in their ability to deal with situations, when realistically most do not have the experience. This confidence leads them to feel powerful and when intoxicated a feeling of a hip style to them driving with their friends drunk to the nearest (fast food restaurant) at 2 a.m.

This leaves many of you asking, what do you feel the correct solution is? A few things, first, lower the drinking age. The effects will not have a result immediately, but over time should substantially lower the drunk driving numbers in this age group.

Second, instead of using police resources to set up checkpoints, I would rather have them have fewer checkpoints, and put funding toward a discounted or free taxi service for intoxicated teens.

Another solution is to offer to have the police come pick them up, and drop them at their homes with some sort of benefit for not driving while intoxicated.

For example, if you call the police while intoxicated, instead of driving, you and your friends will receive a "responsible driver card" or something like that, which can be used to get out of minor traffic infractions at other times (like turning right on red, or going through a yellowwhen you should have stopped, or going 1-5 mph over the speed limit). This will also encourage teens to use the service.

Any way you look at it, teen drunk driving is a concern and needs to be addressed.
David J. Eisen
Manalapan