Auto Club: A Warning for Prom-Goers and Grads: Don't Drink And Drive.

LOS ANGELES -- Partying during and after proms and following graduation ceremonies can have serious consequences if alcohol is involved, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the number of underage drinking-related crashes resulting in death and injuries.

An Auto Club analysis of California Highway Patrol data from 1997-2004, showed significant increases in alcohol-related crashes and injuries among young drivers. Thirty-three percent more drivers aged 15-20 were involved in alcohol-related fatal crashes in 2004 compared to 1997. In 2004, 137 young drivers died compared to 103 in 1997. The number of underage drivers in alcohol-related injury crashes increased 15 percent. That is an increase from 1,813 in 1997 to 2,089 in 2004.

"These numbers show a significant rise in deaths and injuries from underage drivers who drink. Young people should know that state DUI laws are even tougher on drivers under 21," said Steven Bloch, Ph.D., senior research associate of the Auto Club. "High school proms and graduations often are opportunities for drinking so teens need to be aware of the dangers. A high school prom or graduation should be a time of lasting memories, not for careless behavior that potentially can lead to lasting consequences."

Bloch said that research shows teens often look at life differently than adults do. "Many young people think they'll live forever, so an appeal to their mortality isn't as effective as you might imagine. Instead, teens are more concerned about the immediate consequences of their actions. They need to know a drinking-related driving offense will cost them their driver license in addition to about $15,000 in fines, mandatory education expenses, attorney fees and additional insurance costs."

Bloch added that there are many other ways that a drinking and driving offense can seriously affect the lives of young drivers. "They may have medical bills, a disability, job loss, problems at home and vehicle damage. Teens are more likely to respond to warnings if they understand that they also may have heavy time obligations for court appearances, treatment programs and community service."

Any measurable alcohol in a driver younger than 21 years of age results in an automatic one-year suspension of driving privileges. A blood alcohol content of .05 percent, roughly two drinks, is a criminal offense for an underage driver. In addition to up to 48 hours in jail and three years probation, young offenders are required to attend a 15-week DUI course and can be ordered to make restitution for any physical or property damage they cause.

"Many young people believe that officers will test to determine if the young driver is drunk. That is not true. Officers will be testing underage drivers to see if there's any level of alcohol in the driver's system," Bloch said.

The Auto Club suggests several things for underage drivers to consider before drinking alcoholic beverages:

--California has a "zero tolerance" law for underage drivers.

--The blood alcohol content of .08 percent applies to adults only. Any alcohol in the system of a driver under 21 years old results in an automatic one-year driver license suspension.

--More than 2,000 underage drivers are involved in alcohol-related death and injury crashes annually so the refrain of "it won't happen to me" doesn't ring true.

--Before going out, learn if your school or town has a "Safe Ride" program.

--Don't get in the car with someone who has been drinking.

--Call a taxi, take a bus or get a friend to drive you home if you have been drinking.

The Auto Club has produced 125,000 informational brochures in English and Spanish detailing the costs of an alcohol-related arrest for an underage driver. The brochure is provided at no cost to schools, community groups and law enforcement. To order the brochure, call 1-800-541-5552.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services and automotive pricing, buying and financing programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa.com.