According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds in America. Of those accidents, 29% involve an intoxicated driver; factoring in their passengers raises the death toll to 50% - quite a startling statistic.

In the spirit of National Alcohol Awareness Month (April), the best solution to the problem of teen drinking and driving may be a proactive discussion between parents and teens. In their upcoming book and DVD set, Safe Road Home, Kirk Simon and Karen Goodman have created a simple quiz to test your knowledge of drinking and driving statistics. Their hope is by opening the discussion with your teens, you may be able to help them navigate through peer pressure and ultimately save their lives.

"The most difficult part about addressing the subject with teens is getting kids to see that they're not invincible and are truly at risk," offers Goodman. "It can be difficult for parents to break through in a meaningful way that allows teens to see this as a life and death issue - rather than a parental power struggle.

"One point that parents must keep in mind is that it's best to talk with their teens when everyone is calm and sober. Screaming at your kids after they've come home from a party doesn't help things - it's best to wait until the morning."

While the issue is best tackled at home, Simon believes part of the solution may lie with lawmakers: "More states should adopt a restricted license plan for young drivers and all states should prohibit cell phone use while driving, as well as other dangers of distraction that can add risk."

  SAFE ROAD HOME QUIZ

  1. At what age does the average young person first try alcohol?

  a. 10
  b. 12
  c. 15
  d. 16
  e. 17
  f. 18

  2. When do most teen crashes occur?

  a. During the week
  b. Over the weekend

  3. On a typical weekend in the United States, how often do you think a
     teen dies in a car crash?

  a. Every 30 minutes
  b. Every hour
  c. Every two hours
  d. Every 24 hours

  4. Where are teens most likely to drink?

  a. At home
  b. At a friend's house
  c. In their own or someone else's car
  d. In bars
  e. Outdoors

  5. What is the percentage of teen crashes that involve alcohol?

  a. 25%
  b. 50%
  c. 75%
  d. 100%

  6. What percentage of teens say their parents have spoken to them in the
     past month about drinking and driving?

  a. 25%
  b. 50%
  c. 75%
  d. 100%

  ANSWERS

  1. B.  12 years old, according to the American Medical Association.
  2. B.  There is a 50% greater risk for a car crash over the weekend than
         during the week.
  3. B.  This means 48 will die next weekend.
  4. A & B.
  5. B.  Alcohol is involved in about 50% of fatal teen car crashes.
  6. A.  When parents were asked the same question, according to the Century
         Council survey, 75% reported speaking to their teen within the past
         month about the dangers of drinking and driving.