MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving is urging parents to talk with their children about underage drinking following the release of new data that says two-thirds of alcohol related teen deaths are not the result of traffic fatalities.
MADD has designated this Sunday “PowerTalk 21 Day:” a day for parents to have that long overdue conversation about underage drinking.
New federal statistics indicate that just 32 percent of alcohol related deaths among 15 to 20 year-olds were traffic fatalities. Other leading causes of death homicides, suicides, and alcohol poisonings.
Flint Clouse is MADD’s Tennessee Director.
“What we want people to take away from this is that taking away the key’s doesn’t take away the risk when it comes to underage drinking. What MADD hopes that this information will do, is inspire parents to have ongoing conversations with their kids about the many dangers of drinking of alcohol before the age of 21.”
MADD released the new data just ahead of the spring prom season. You can find discussion starters and other tips on the organization’s website: madd.org/powertalk21.