Beating Peer Pressure

Resisting peer pressure can be harder than anyone thinks. "Will they still like me if I don't go along?" Truth is, if they don't, they weren't real friends to begin with.

Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for you - your individuality, your style, your choices. That's true of everything, including driving. Why risk a bad decision that could cost you a ticket, jail time or death...or even worse, someone else's death?

It's never easy saying no to friends, but here are some tips that can help…

1. Blame your folks. Tell your parents you want to make smart driving decisions, but have a hard time telling that to friends. Ask if you can blame mom and dad when friends want you to do something you're not comfortable with. Chances are they'll be more than happy to take the blame.

2. Avoid the situation. If, for example, you know a party will have alcohol and you'll be tempted to drink and drive, make up an excuse not to go. "My dog ate my homework and I have to redo it by tomorrow." You know, something believable like that.

3. Find some new friends. If friends want you to make decisions that put your life and others' in danger, chances are they don't care about you as much as you thought. It's always better to hang out with people who respect you enough to listen when you say no.