It all starts with a good example of what not to do, and the story of two girls on spring break nearly busted: 

We all piled into our two cars, and my friend said, "Last one to the bar is a rotten egg." As I passed my friend's car, I laughed when I hit the stoplight. I told my friend, Ashley, to pass me a beer and drank as much as I could. Even before the light turned green I was sailing past my friend's car once again, with Ashley in the passenger seat, looking horrified.

I saw what was wrong - a cop was right behind me with the red light on, then I heard the siren blaring. Ashley was already screaming every swear word imaginable, and I thought I was going to pee my pants. I pulled over, reaching for my seat belt, and whispered, "Hide the beer Ash, hide the beer." The cop came over and shined a flashlight, right in my eyes, as Ashley was shoving the beer bottles under the front seat.

Maybe he didn't smell the beer on my breath, or maybe he saw that I was terrified, but after he got a report on my license and checked it he let us go. We couldn't believe he let us go. My friends said I was so lucky because Florida has some pretty harsh laws about not using your seat belt while driving and having open bottles in the car. We could have easily gone to jail.

When we got back home from spring break, I found out on the Internet that because Ashley is only 20 and of course, the drinking law in Florida is 21 and because she had fake i.d. - she could have gone to jail for five years and would have had to pay $5000 in fines. Here are just a few tips on how you can stay safe on spring break:

International Travel & Passports

It's better to always try to stay in the United States for spring break whenever possible. If you plan to travel overseas, then you'll need a passport, maybe a visa, and you might have to buy traveler's insurance. Apply early for your passport. You'll need two photos of yourself, a birth certificate, and photo i.d. like a driver's license. You can only apply for a passport at a post office, and at a Federal courthouse

Obtain Travelers Insurance

My mom said that her health insurance from work would not cover me if I got hurt and had to go to a hospital in a foreign country. She said I would have to get traveler's insurance. Some countries require travelers to have certain shots too.

Register Your International Trip

I found out that you should register your trip in advance with the State Department so they can help you in case of an emergency, or if there is a natural disaster where you are, or a war breaks out, or if there is an act of terrorism. Then, the U.S. Embassy or consulate can find you, offer assistance or help bring you home. They can provide loans, and give you names of local attorneys you may need if you get in trouble. You can register at www.travelregistration.state.gov.

Don't Take Candy from Strangers

Stay with your friends - always. Everywhere you go, you should take at least one friend with you. If a place looks really seedy, then don't go in there. Trust your instincts, if some guy seems creepy, don't talk to him. Never get in a car with a stranger, and never, ever go home with some strange guy. Don't accept drinks from strangers, or leave your drink where people can get to it, always take it with you, and never turn your back to your drink. Somebody could put drugs in your drink like a roofie or other date rape drug.

Tequila Makes Your Clothes Fall Off

Don't get drunk and take your clothes off in front of thousands of people. Your picture could end up on some sleazy Internet site, where they are making money off of you, and you don't even know about it. Worse yet, it could end up somewhere somebody you know sees it. With your picture plastered all over the Internet, it could even ruin your future by keeping you from getting a really good job, or from graduating college. A naked picture of you could be on You Tube from some guy holding his cell phone, getting your picture or video without you even knowing. 

Don't Brag About the Bling

Keep your money in the hotel safe, or if there is a safe in your room. Better yet, don't bring cash with you, get traveler's checks, before you leave. Get a credit card instead of carrying cash, so people don't see you with a huge wad of cash. You could get beaten up or robbed for your money. Don't bring tons of jewelry with you, because somebody will see it and could rob it from you. There are bad guys on spring break too.

Pack Light, Pack Smart

Don't just pack bathing suits, and shorts. Bring jeans, and a jacket too, in case the weather gets colder. My own mom actually told me to take condoms with me. First she told me not to let boys in my room, and then she's practically handing me condoms. Take suntan lotion with a high SPF, because the sun is stronger at the beach.

If you are already planning your next spring break, consider volunteering your time and working for an organization like Habit for Humanity where they build houses for people who can't afford to buy them on their own, or places where homes were ruined in a natural disaster. You can find out more through your school's student activities office. This way, you can't possibly get into any trouble. (But, no guarantees!) 

This real travel advice was provided by Kate Johns.

If you are looking for a relatively safe spring break destination in the US, consider Panama City Beach, Florida. If you're lucky, and smart, you'll be able to stay with your closest friends in a cool condo rental, or beach house.