Teenage drinking and driving is against the law and can have serious consequences, if caught, by law enforcement officers in Georgia.
Again this year, as in previous years, troopers with the Georgia State Patrol will be watching for such drivers as area schools begin celebrating junior-senior proms.
"We want to heighten the awareness of this problem at this time of the year," said Sgt. First Class Jason Johnson, post commander of the patrol post in Thomson. "There's going to be a lot of kids of the roads. We want to make sure that they make the right decision not to drink and drive and that if they don't, that there will be consequences."
One of those consequences includes a trip to jail. Court proceedings could even draw sizable fines and probation.
Trooper Tommy Crafton talks to thousands of ninth graders in 21 counties in East Central Georgia every year about the dangers of driving and drinking.
After teaching safety education classes for nearly five years, the best advice he can offer teenagers is not to allow peer pressure to get the best of them.
"Don't just give into it," Trooper Crafton said.
Lt. David Cody agreed.
"If you allow peer pressure to get to you, then one poor decision could be a life-changing event," Lt. Cody said. "We don't want that to happen."
During the prom season, Sgt. Johnson said troopers will be out in force looking for underage intoxicated drivers.
In recent years, there have not been any alcohol-related fatalities involving teenagers during this time of the year.
"We want to keep it that way," Sgt. Johnson said.
Lakeside High School in Columbia County will celebrate their junior-senior prom Friday night. Briarwood Academy in Warren County also will celebrate their prom at the school this weekend. Thomson High School celebrates their prom next Saturday night. With that in mind, lawmen have advice for those hosting parties where alcoholic beverages are offered.
Hosts should be aware that if alcoholic beverages are given to underage teenagers that those responsible could face criminal charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Sgt. Johnson said. He also warned that hosts could face the possibility of civil litigation, if a teenager leaves drinking and driving and is involved in an alcohol-related collision.
