Readers may be surprised to learn that December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. While drivers of all ages could get behind the wheel of a car to drive while impaired an organization based in another state is focusing on teen drivers who engage in that activity. Accordingly, it has offered tips on how to keep high school-aged drivers from participating in the behavior.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the tips primarily focus on how parents can help. Since kids of all ages often embrace the behaviors of their parents, this should not come as a surprise.

The first suggestion offered is to be involved with your child. Go out of your way to be a passenger in the car while your child is driving to make sure they are doing okay. When you drive, be aware that your child is watching you closely.

Make sure to have a candid conversation about what they can and cannot do while driving. For example, you might discuss how it is not allowed to use a phone while driving. In addition, they may be prohibited from driving a car at night or accepting other teens as car occupants. Also discuss what the consequences will be should the teen violate those family rules, or the law.

Some parents find it beneficial to enter into a family pledge with their children. The pledge should, among other things, prohibit using a phone while driving.

Setting boundaries for your teen drivers could go a long way toward reducing the number of accidents that occur due to impaired driving. Most would probably agree that this is a good thing,