Young Motorists Urged to Be Safe During Prom and Graduation Season

ALBANY, NY (05/20/2009)(readMedia)-- Commissioner David J. Swarts of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today urged prom-goers and those celebrating a graduation to be safe and avoid such activities as underage drinking and driving during license restrictions.

"Prom and graduation season is a very exciting time of year for both students and parents," Commissioner Swarts said. "Far too often, however, many students see these events as opportunities to engage in destructive or risky behaviors, such as underage drinking or aggressive driving such as speeding. No one plans on accidents happening, but statistics show these types of behaviors can lead to tragedy. I am urging all young people to use caution and common sense during this season."

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death in young people ages 16-24. Young drivers account for only 12 percent of all drivers, yet they constitute 20 percent of drivers involved in crashes. They are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than the rest of the driving population. From 2004 to 2006, 32 percent of all fatalities occurred in crashes that involved drivers ages 16-24. In 2006, more than 200 young drivers in New York State died in automobile crashes and more than 26,000 were injured. In addition to the young drivers who were killed or injured, there were 250 other fatalities and more than 41,000 other injured people as a result of crashes involving young drivers. The societal cost of young driver crashes is estimated to be $1.16 billion annually in New York State.

In New York State in 2007, nearly 600 drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 were injured or killed in alcohol related crashes, despite the fact that it is illegal for them to drink alcohol. In contrast, speeding caused six times more accidents than drinking and driving, with more than 3,500 drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 being injured or killed.

"We know that one in three youth in New York State use alcohol," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "This prom and graduation season we hope our young adults play it safe and avoid drinking situations. Parents also need to be reminded that there is no safe place to serve alcohol to those under 21. Underage drinking is illegal and can result in tragic consequences, from illness, injury, to even death. Proms are a time for celebration-let's rejoice without the regret."

Students attending a prom are especially urged to remember the possible restrictions on their driver licenses as most proms usually take place outside of permitted hours of driving. These can vary from region to region throughout the state. Many students assume that because their prom is held on their school's property it is considered a "school course." In New York State a prom is not considered to be a school course.

Parents and other adults who wish to host after-prom or graduation parties in their homes must also be aware of their responsibilities. There is a growing list of counties across New York State that are holding adults responsible for serving alcohol or drugs to minors in their homes. The Social Host Law, as it is being called, is already in force for example in Westchester, Duchess, Nassau and Greene counties, as well as in the cities of Troy, Little Falls, Cohoes, Amityville and Geneva.

The following are just a few things parents and teens should remember for prom events or graduation parties:

For teens/students:

• Don't drink and drive.
• Don't get in a vehicle with anyone who has been drinking.
• If you are driving, make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seat belt.
• If you get into a situation where you need assistance, call your parents or another trusted adult.

For parents:

• Make sure you know where your child is going to be during prom and at after-prom parties or graduation parties.
• Consider a limo or an adult driver to chauffeur students to and from prom.
• If you are hosting students at your residence post-prom or graduation, be responsible. Don't let minors drink!

More information on teen driving can be found by visiting the DMV's web site at nysdmv.com or the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee web site at SafeNY.com.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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