School dances are something most teenagers look forward to. Homecoming and Prom are the big ones, but Winterfest is a nice adjustment into the New Year with formal dresses and nice looking boys. The tickets are purchased during lunches and the ending time is 10-10:30 pm. 10 is the driving curfew for 16 year old drivers.

Luckily for formal dances, the curfew gets extended to midnight. So as long as there is proof and the driver is not intoxicated, they will not receive a ticket if pulled over.

Getting into the car with that nice looking date at 10 is nice when you know that there is still time to get more food after, since the calories from dinner were just danced off.

It’s already dark, so the roads can be difficult to drive on when there is less light to see things.

Some people don’t wear a seatbelt or decide to have too much fun and have a few drinks after the dance is over with, then drive home before the extended curfew.

According to Edgarsnyder.com one in four car accident involve underage drinking. Driving while intoxicated is something teenagers are told over and over not to do, but time after time they still do. This is something very notable around the time of a formal dance.

Having an extended curfew doesn’t mean you can go out and drink a few beers, have an after party and then drive home claiming you’re just “tipsy.” Having that extended curfew is there for you to get home after the dance or get something to eat after, but shouldn’t be abused.

This Winterfest season, be safe and do the right thing. Taking advance of something that’s a privilege to you is a waste of time and could potentially be dangerous.