Graduations will be common in the next few weeks. So will parties celebrating the milestone.

There are, however, warnings and laws to heed to make the celebrations as safe as possible, says Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

“As the school year draws to a close there’s one statistic that caught my eye,” Jackson said this morning.

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, more than 60 percent of all traffic fatalities involve children and young adults between the ages of 15 and 20. “High school graduation brings more house parties which could involve more underage alcohol consumption. What many parents are unaware of are the consequences of such parties even if they’re unaware alcohol is at the party.”

North Carolina, Jackson said, has social host laws. “What those laws involve are if a person gets into car crash and the person hosting knew or should have known there was alcohol at the party, regardless of the drivers age, the host can be liable for all the damage.”

That means the host can be charged criminally with unlawful furnishing alcohol to minors as well as aiding and abetting a crime.

There are also consequences for minors and those under 19 who are caught in possession of alcohol, Jackson said. They can be charged with a class I misdemeanor which carries more weight fines and court costs. It can also carry the possibility of imprisonment. “If you help an underage person buy alcohol and you’re over the age of 21, you can be fined up to $2,000 and jailed up to two years.”

Using a fake ID or even loaning your ID can mean suspension of your driver’s license. “Anyone under the age of 21 that blows anything, even if it’s .01 can lose their license for up to a year and be fined,” Jackson said. “The main thing is this is a happy time and we don’t want to see it turn into a tragedy.”

Jackson said parents are encouraged to sit down and talk to their children, encouraging them not to drink and drive. “If you have parties, make it an alcohol-free party. Lay down rules that if someone brings alcohol or comes to a party impaired they will be asked to leave and their parents will be called so they can get home safely.”

Parents hosting parties should be visible and monitor both inside and outside. “It’s always a good idea to come up with a guest list and curtail uninvited guests. Use one entrance to monitor and let neighbors know you’re going to have a party.”

Jackson said getting a DWI could bar college entrance. “We’re proud of all kids that are graduating and hope it carries them to high levels of success. Alcohol can keep them from entering some colleges. Going back from the time I graduated I can recall wrecks involving teenagers at graduation. There always seems to be tragedy crushing what should be a happy time.”