DUI/DWI News

Students encouraged to "Make the Right Choice" and to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking

Oahu, HI —  Attorney General Mark J. Bennett, The Hawai`i Hotel and Lodging Association and The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, partner this week to bring a life-saving lesson about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking to students at Kauai High School, Waimea High School, Farrington High School, and Pearl City High School. In advance of Prom and Graduation season, Brandon Silveria, a young man who was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before his high school prom, and his father Tony will speak to students about the importance of “making the right choice” about alcohol — and if students are under the age of 21 — the only responsible decision is not to drink. The events mark a continuing partnership between the organizations to combat drunk driving and underage drinking in Hawai`i.

“Prom and Graduation season is a time of great celebration for high school students. Sadly, alcohol is sometimes part of that celebration,” said Attorney General Bennett. “Brandon Silveria is living proof that one bad decision can change your life forever. I am so grateful that he and his father Tony could be here in Hawai`i to relay their life-saving message to students, and I am hopeful their words will resonate as students make plans for prom and graduation night.”

“In 2004, 713 youths under the age of 21 died in alcohol-related traffic fatalities during the Prom and Graduation season,” said Murray Towill, President of the Hawai`i Hotel & Lodging Association. ”Additionally, over the past ten years efforts to stop underage drinking and drunk driving, especially during this celebratory time, have resulted in a 15% reduction in the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among our youth during the Prom and Graduation season. One death is one too many. I am so proud to have Brandon and Tony Silveria with us today to communicate their life-saving message to young drivers in Hawai`i. We must do more to keep our teens safe and alcohol-free.”

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	Did You Know?
	A well known is the fact that the consumption of alcohol can cause impairment Perhaps less recognized is that fact that impairment rises gradually at a lower level but dramatically at a higher level of blood alcohol concentration BAC. About half of auto fatalities involve drivers with BACs of .16 or higher. Impairment occurs at a lower level, but it's especially important to prevent driving with high BACs.