DRIVING MESSAGE HOME ON DRINKING

Next Generation

There is more at risk than losing your licence when you decide to
drink and drive. Teenagers, especially, have more to lose.

Whether through personal choice or peer pressure, underage drinking
and drug use is common in Stouffville and elsewhere.

As serious as that may be, getting behind the wheel while impaired is
a whole other story. A new survey finds 19 per cent of teenagers drive
under the influence of alcohol, 15 per cent drive after using
marijuana, and 7 per cent report driving under the influence of other
drugs.

These numbers are shocking. What is it that causes teenagers to drive
impaired or get into the car with a clearly intoxicated driver? Is it
the lack of transit late at night? Or maybe teenagers don't want their
parents to know the state they are in.

How do we reduce impaired driving locally?

Live presentations or videos showing the consequences of getting
behind the wheel drunk or high would work. Just don't candy coat the
message.

A Students Against Drunk Driving chapter at Stouffville District
Secondary School would raise awareness and possibly even raise money
for families who suffer a loss due to impaired driving.

Don't think this is a problem in Whitchurch-Stouffville? Attend some
weekend parties involving young people and you'll see drinks
everywhere, people rolling joints and teenagers playing games, such as
"shot for shot".

The problem exists here and elsewhere. Now, what are we going to do
about it, Stouffville?