Students urged to say goodbye to DUI
It looked like the graduating class of Kearns High School was posing for a yearbook photo in their green and gold caps and gowns — until you got close enough to read the signs: "Smart enough to graduate," they said, "too smart to drive drunk."
Officials from Utah State Parks, Utah Highway Safety and Utah Highway Patrol used the students as a backdrop to launch the 2009 anti-DUI/safe driving campaign, "100 Days of Summer."
It's a natural pairing, because while teens make up only 7 percent of Utah drivers, they're responsible for almost a quarter of motor-vehicle crashes, according to the most recent statistics, taken from 2007. That year, drivers in 2,718 crashes were alcohol-impaired, injuring 1,900 and killing 42. DUI-related crashes were 3.6 times more likely to be fatal than other crashes. And while drivers 20 to 24 had the most alcohol-impaired crashes, 12 percent of impaired drivers were under 21.
"Most don't intend to drive drunk," said Capt. Steve Sandquist of the West Valley City Police Department, who emceed the event. Some tell themselves they're "buzzed," not drunk. Buzzed means they're too impaired to drive, he said.
He warned the students to have a plan if they're in a situation with alcohol or drugs. But under no circumstance should someone be allowed to drive impaired. "If you know someone's impaired, take their keys," he said, adding that police will be "out in force" looking for impaired drivers this summer.
The officials hurled slogans like "Over the limit, under arrest," or "Boat safe, boat sober" at the students, hoping to help the message stick.
Christopher Quick, with Utah State Parks, emphasized that behavior not tolerated on the road does not play in the backcountry, on the trails or in the water, either. Driving under the influence can involve a car, a boat or other recreational vehicle, he said. "Being arrested for DUI is being arrested for DUI, no matter how scenic the setting."
"Way too many or one too many, it's not worth the risk," said UHP Maj. Kathy Slagowski, adding that nationally, someone dies from a DUI-related crash every 40 minutes.
The soon-to-be-grads bring with them "dozens of good friends, hundreds of good memories, thousands of good decisions," said Alex Wiles, Kearns High's student-body president, who told them not to let a "moment of stupidity" destroy them. "You can have fun without drinking."
The students were also given tangible reminders in the form of T-shirts with messages like "I run barefoot through cactus, but I don't drink and drive" or "I floss with barbwire, but I don't drink and drive."
E-MAIL: lois@desnews.com
Recent comments
This event gives great hope for the future. It is wonderful to see...
John Charity Spring | June 5, 2009 at 12:23 p.m.
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...



