As you may know, Freedom High School’s annual prom is approaching, signaling the end of the school year. Traditionally, prom is meant for seniors in honor of their last high school dance. When prom comes to mind I think of dancing, loud music, dressing up and just having a good time. Although it is hard to avoid these days, under-age drinking has always been a common way for kids to celebrate. In efforts to stop under-age drinking at these events, some high schools are banning the use of limousines and party buses. Most administrators thought this idea would be effective. They hoped that if intoxicated students did not want to get behind the wheel, they would not drink in the first place. Now, many Hillsborough County high schools are requiring students to drive to these events or have their parents drop them off and pick them up.

In my opinion, this rule will do nothing more than worsen the problem. Under-age drinking is almost inevitable these days and students are being responsible by having drivers escort them home to prevent drunk driving. Banning party buses, limousines and other similar ways of transportation will only increase the number of drunk drivers. This ban also penalizes innocent students that just don’t want to drive everywhere with their friends after a long night.

“People are going to find a way to drink anyways and students are going to want to drive themselves because it’s embarrassing to have a parent drive a senior to prom. The party bus is the best solution,” said senior Alex Chin.

Administrators might have been going in the right direction but I don’t think that this ban is the right solution. Drunk driving is one of the main causes of accidents and this will just add to the car crash fatalities. Especially at a senior prom, under-age drinking is hard to avoid. If party buses and limousines are banned there will be lots of drunk drivers on the road. No word has been said yet about Freedom adopting the rule and if they are, they should definitely consider the consequences.