Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate For Teen Safety During Prom, Graduation

  • Thursday, April 27, 2017

Prom and graduation celebrations should be enjoyable, safe experiences for everyone. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is partnering with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and AAA – The Auto Club Group to promote teen driver safety during prom and graduation season. According to the Tennessee Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were 83 alcohol-related crashes involving a teen driver this time last year, three of which were fatal. This year, the THSO joins the TABC, SADD, and AAA to reduce teen crashes, injuries, and fatalities through increased enforcement, education, and awareness.

Throughout April and May, special agents from the TABC are stepping up their Underage Sales Tennessee Operation Plan (USTOP) program statewide. USTOP is an initiative to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes by conducting minor compliance checks and re-checks to prevent alcohol sales to minors. The TABC encourages citizens to report any licensed establishment that serves alcoholic beverages to minors. To file a complaint on a licensed establishment (restaurant, bar, hotel and/or retail store) that is selling to minors, please visit www.tn.gov/abc or call 615-741-7583. You can directly access the complaint form here

“Many students feel that after prom and graduation their celebrations must include alcohol, that drinking is a rite of passage,” said Vic Donoho, director of the THSO. “But, there’s always an alternative.”

In an effort to provide a tragedy-free prom and graduation for teens, SADD collaborates with high schools, parents, and communities to host alcohol-free “All-Night Parties” as a safe alternative to the drinking and driving from party to party that often takes place. To get involved, contact Julie Strike at jstrike@sadd.org.

High schools are also encouraged to participate in the AAA PROMise Program. This program is offered by the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation to protect teen drivers on the roadways. By making the AAA PROMise, teens commit to making the right decision when it comes to underage drinking and impaired driving. Visit www.AAAPROMise.com to order a free AAA PROMise tool kit, which provides promotional items and educational materials on how to stay safe between prom and graduation night.

Students who participate in teen driver safety activities in their communities, like SADD’s “All-Night Parties” or the AAA PROMise, can receive points, prizes, and other incentives by signing up at ReduceTNCrashes.org, the THSO’s free peer-to-peer program for high-school teens.


Student Scene
Lee Day 2024 To Begin April 5
  • 3/28/2024

On Friday, April 5, and Saturday April 6, Lee University will host Lee Day, a time of excitement and information geared toward prospective students and their families. Over the course of the ... more

Chattanooga State Takes A Quantum Leap With Expert Insights Into The Future Of Computing
  • 3/27/2024

Chattanooga State Community College will take a deep dive into the world of quantum computing alongside physics and computer science expert Dr. Shohini Ghose. Dr. Ghose will join ChattState ... more

TDOE Releases 2022-23 Report Card
  • 3/26/2024

The Tennessee Department of Education released the 2022-23 State Report Card, highlighting new interactive features for families and users to learn more on how districts and schools are performing ... more