ALBANY -- New York state has a hotline this prom and high school graduation season to help keep young drivers off the road if they've been drinking.
State officials set up 1-866-UNDER21 to report underage drinking, thinking it could help stop young people from driving under the influence of alcohol. Calls go to the state police, who forward them to local agencies. The anonymity of callers is protected.
Many local parents say they think the initiative is one more measure to protect their children.
"I think that would be good," says Floleshia Parks, who has two children. "I think that would prevent a lot of underage accidents."
"I think it would be a great tool for law enforcement to use and for parents to feel a little more at ease when their children are out," says Steve Meuten, the father of two teenagers.
State officials say drivers under 21 represent about five percent of licensed drivers, but are involved in more than 12 percent of fatal crashes.
Substance abuse experts say drinking is particularly dangerous for teenagers because they have trouble understanding the potential consequences of their actions.
"This is a really good point, a tough one for parents, because a lot of our young people look like adults at age 16 and 17 and 18, but it's all about the brain and the development," says Alis Sefick, from the Prevention Network in Syracuse.
Sefick says if people start drinking at a young age, they are more likely to be addicted as adults.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday the hotline is a joint effort involving the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, the state Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services and state police. It's being funded by a federal grant.
The committes put together a public service announcement to spread the word about the hotline.
(Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.)
