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Guest Editorial
Gabryszak: Stay safe during prom season
As prom season is about to begin, I'm encouraging Erie County parents and their prom-going children to take part in the "Arrive Alive" pledge. This no-drinking-and-driving promise will ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening.
Far too often, drunken drivers are the cause of tragic accidents. Memorable and exciting events like the prom can quickly turn into a tragedy when alcohol is involved. That's why I'm encouraging every student and parent to commit to making safety a priority on prom night. The Arrive Alive pledge requires parents to provide a ride at any time during the night - no questions asked - while children promise not to drink and drive or accept a ride from someone who has been drinking.
From 1996 to 2000, the likelihood of being involved in a crash with a drunk driver increased by 21 percent while arrests and convictions dropped by more than 20 percent, a trend that has continued unabated since that time. In order to prevent senseless alcohol-related driving accidents, we must send a stern message to drunken drivers that getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be tolerated. I will work with my colleagues in the Legislature to toughen laws so that those who injure or kill another person because they were driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs will face severe consequences.
Last year the Legislature and the governor made sweeping reforms to drunken-driving laws. For example, drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes, repeat drunk driving offenders and drivers with high bloodalcohol content levels are now subject to much harsher criminal penalties (Ch. 732 of 2006). In addition, penalties were increased for repeat drunken drivers who subsequently kill or seriously injure others while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Ch. 245 of 2006). These new laws will help to better protect our loved ones on the roads and highways. Taking the Arrive Alive pledge is simple and it could mean the difference between life and death. Sadly, we are reminded every day about the dangers of drinking and driving. I urge all promgoes and their families to take the pledge so that they can look back on prom night with fond memories, not with grief of a tragedy.
To receive a copy of the pledge, please contact me at (716) 686- 0080 or gabryszakd@assembly.state.ny.us. You may also pick up a copy at my district office, located at 2560 Walden Avenue, Suite 109, Cheektowaga, 14225. On prom night I hope that Cheektowaga and Lancaster students enjoy themselves but don't lose sight of what's most
important; their safety.
Assemblyman Dennis H. Gabryszak
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