You Have The Right…

You have the right to remain silent. How many times have you heard that? On tv crime dramas, in the movies. Most everyone knows those words are part of the Miranda Rights and know that you have certain rights when you are accused of committing a crime. But, how many of you know the rights you have when you are the victim of a crime?

This past week was Victims Rights Week. A week set aside to raise awareness of all of the rights crime victims have and to thank those who dedicate their lives to working as victim advocates. This year MADD Nebraska created a display in the Nebraska State Capitol that focused on one of the many rights victims of drunk driving crashes have, the victim impact statement. The victim impact statement is one of the few times during the court process where victims are allowed to share how a drunk driving crash has changed their life. It is truly the voice of the victim. The chance for a victim to say in their own words, how the crash has shattered their world.

We have to thank all of the victims who shared with us their words, their very personal stories to make the display this year so very impactful. We know that we could never even begin to try to say how much their words and stories make a difference in the fight against drunk driving. We hope that everyone who saw the display not only was moved by the stories, but also learned just how important the words of the victim are during the court process.

You’ve Got The Power

It is time for our Second Annual PowerTalk 21 Day and we couldn’t be more excited! After the huge success of the First Annual Event, we decided to bring it back! So for the second year in a row, we are encouraging all parents to use April 21st as a day to start the conversation with their kids about alcohol! Is there really any better time than right now to keep your kids safe!

The bad news is, underage drinking is a growing problem and kids are starting to drink at younger and younger ages. The good news is, kids are still listening to their parents, so as a parent you can keep your teen from drinking. MADD’s Power of Parents program works to help parents start that difficult conversation about alcohol with their teens, because talking about it early and often and laying out clear expectations are two important ways to keep your teen safe from the dangers of underage drinking.

We obviously aren’t the only ones who think this is important! The Governor of the State of Nebraska Dave Heineman must agree, he is going to be signing a proclamation on April 11th, declaring April 21st PowerTalk 21 Day in the State of Nebraska! This tells you just how important he must think this issue is!

So join us in the conversation! Check out http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/the-power-of-parents/ for more information on the program. Or call the Nebraska state office at (402) 434-5330 to find out more about how to hold a workshop in your area!

Rainy Days and Mondays

Do you remember that old song? Rainy Days and Mondays are always getting me down. Well it applies today, and not just because we have been getting some much needed rain today. It is because Monday mornings seem to bring news of bad weekends as of late.

It seems almost every Monday when I look through my emails and the news from the weekend, it is filled with drunk driving crashes, numerous reports of DUI’s, stories of underage drinking parties and way too many stories of lives taken due to drinking and driving. And it seems like there has been a major increase in these things happening since the beginning of this year. I can’t help but wonder, are there actually more people drinking and driving or is the media just paying more attention and bringing more light to drinking and driving.

While it is good we are reading about these cases, seeing the stories in the news and knowing we are working towards a change just by increasing awareness. It is sad that every Monday, there is a story! For it to get reported on it has to be happening, and that means every weekend people are getting arrested for driving drunk, getting in crashes, drinking underage. It is just too much and too often.

While we have made great strides in changing our culture, it is clear to me every Monday morning, that we haven’t done enough. So this rainy Monday is my call to action, to continue to drive forward, to do more, to educate and to change our culture. And today, I hope it is your call to action too. Let’s work together so we can enjoy a Monday someday when there are no more stories of drunk driving in our newspapers and just stories of people making responsible decisions!

Power of You(th)

As many of you know we have been working across the state to get parents to start the conversation about alcohol with their teens through our Power of Parents Program. Now, we are adding the second part of the program into the mix and we can’t wait. Are you ready for the Power Of You(th)!?

The Power of You(th) is kicking off with a bang, or a shot really, a video shot. We are asking teens to create and submit a video as part of a national contest. This video should be about their choice not to drink underage and the power that teens have to encourage themselves and others to make that choice. This is such an incredible opportunity for young artists to show what helps them to live alcohol free. On top of that five winners will be chosen to head to MADD National to be part of a teen influencer group. The group will help to create the Power of You(th) handbook, a compliment to the Power of Parents handbook, made by teens for teens. Don’t worry if your teen isn’t into the video making process though, just come talk to us. We will be submitting Nebraska teens to be part of the influencers group through an application process. If you know a teen who is alcohol free and working to keep their peers that way, we can work on submitting a nomination for them to go. The top five applications from across the country will join the group in Texas to help make the handbook!

This is such an exciting time! We know that the Power of Parents is incredibly important. But, we also know that teens are a great influence on one another! This program is a huge opportunity to get teens talking and sharing the benefits of staying alcohol free with their friends! We can’t wait for fall when we get that teen-made handbook in our hands to start sharing at schools across the state! Want to know more check out http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/power-of-youth/ or call the MADD Nebraska state office!

Seatbelts.

I feel like I may need to take a moment to remind everyone out there of what a seatbelt is. You know that little device that you use when you are in your vehicle to keep you safe and potentially save your life. Yeah, that’s it. Now, are you using it? Well you should be!

So far 2012 has been record setting for roadway deaths here in Nebraska. Not a record you want to break! Nineteen people died in January alone. Last year, that number was eight. While that number alone is distressing, it is even more upsetting because some of the deaths could have potentially been prevented. Sixteen of the victims were vehicle occupants and 15 of them were not wearing a seatbelt. Do we know for sure that seatbelts could have kept these people alive, no. But, do we know that wearing your seatbelt increases your odds of survival in a crash by 50-60%, yes. Isn’t that statistic enough to make you want to put on your seatbelt every time you get in the car?

While not involved in all of the fatalities so far this year, alcohol has played a factor in too many of them. Every person killed in an alcohol related crash is one too many. One life that could have been saved by better decision making and planning ahead. We encourage you to continue to always designate a sober driver and never, ever drive after drinking.

Let’s work on making some changes so the rest of the year doesn’t continue as we have started out. Sadly, we can’t get back the people whose lives have already been taken, we can care for and support them and we are here to help in whatever they need. But, we can change so more families don’t have to experience the tragic loss of their loved one on the road.

Be safe. And Buckle Up.

 

Justice

What is justice? Today, a man is being sentenced for taking two lives while he was driving under the influence of alcohol. As the family awaits the sentence I can’t help but wonder, what does justice look like in this situation?

There is nothing anyone can say or do to bring their children back. There is no sentence that will let them hug them again or hold their hand or see their future. That was all taken away by one person’s decision. So whatever the outcome of the sentencing, there is no real justice. But, what there is, is a sentence that shows the severity of the crime. That shows others that drinking and driving is dangerous and that there are consequences for making the choice that in this case took two lives.

In the end, anyone whose life has been impacted by an alcohol related crash knows, there is no real justice. Nothing the legal system does could ever be enough, they can’t bring back the life that you had before the crash. They can make sure consequences are there and the punishment fits the crime, but as much as we would like it to, it doesn’t make things better. But, hopefully those consquences will help others in the future, showing them that making the choice to drink and drive, could change so many lives, including your own.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

As we start this new year, it is natural at this time to look back over the past year and all that has happened. For us here at MADD Nebraska it has been quite the year. We said goodbye to three great friends as they moved on to new adventures and then we said hello to our new victim advocate. We celebrated a five star ranking in the MADD National Report to the Nation, while we mourned the death of too many on our roads in alcohol related crashes this year.  It is our goal for 2012 to continue to work to see Nebraska’s roads become safer, to see less lives impacted and to be here to serve the victims who are.

After celebrating our first PowerTalk 21 Day and kicking off the Power of Parents program, we are excited to really see the program take off across the state in 2012. We can keep Nebraska’s youth safe through this program, which allows parents to learn how to start the conversation about alcohol with their teens.

We can’t wait to get this year rolling! 2012 will hold many exciting things for MADD Nebraska. We hope we can count on your support throughout another year, helping to connect us with your communities and allowing us to make a difference across the state. We ask all of you to make the right choice this year and make one of your resolutions to be to always have a sober designated driver if you plan to drink. This choice alone can save lives! Thank you for all of your support and here is to a great 2012!

Consequences

On December 11th, Nebraska center, Mike Caputo, was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence. Yesterday, he was officially charged with reckless driving, today he pled guilty to that charge.  MADD Nebraska is very disappointed with the decision of the city prosecutor to reduce his charges and not hold him accountable for his actions. Cases like this downplay just how serious of a crime driving under the influence is and sets a prededent that those who drink and drive will not see consequences for their actions.

It is disappointing to us when the criminal justice system does not enforce the strong DUI laws set in place by the state of Nebraska. It is truly a team effort to make sure that all those who make the choice to drink and drive are held accountable.  This is the best way to ensure that people learn from their mistakes. We here at MADD Nebraska would like to see fair and equitable treatment across the state, with all offenders receiving a punishment that fits their crime and that has to happen in the courts. Law Enforcment Agencies across the state are out there, working to keep drunk drivers off of the roads. But, unless their actions are followed by swift and certain punishment, the message gets lost.

We hope that even with the reduced charges, Mr. Caputo learns from his choice and never makes a decision that puts him in this situation again. More than that we hope he realizes what his choice could have led to. Every time someone gets behind the wheel after drinking they are putting themselves and others in danger. 53 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2010, 53 lives taken because someone made the choice to drink and drive. It is a lesson all of us can learn, to never drive after we have been drinking and to always designate a sober driver.

We hope that in the future, everyone will be held accountable for their actions by Nebraska’s criminal justice system. Dropping and/or reducing charges sends the message that drunk driving is not a serious crime. But, if you ask any of the families who have been impacted by an alcohol-related crash, it is, a dangerous, life-changing crime that deserves much more than a slap on the wrist as a punishment.

Role Models

Do you remember who you looked up to when you were a child? Those people who were your inspirations and your role models. Maybe they were athletes, actors, politicians, maybe they were your parents. No matter who they were you looked up to them, you watched their actions and believed if you followed in their footsteps you could grow up to be like them someday. As most of us grew up, we quickly realized our future may not hold a job as the quarterback in the NFL or a professional ballet dancer, but the actions of those we looked up to still helped us to shape who we are and our perception of right and wrong.

I can’t help but then wonder, what are role models today teaching our children? Athletes, celebrities, politicians, even parents are making choices that we would not want our children to make. And at the top of that list of bad decisions, drunk driving. Just a few days ago a former Miss America was arrested for drunk driving, a disappointing action from someone who was most certainly a role model for many little girls.  (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57336703-504083/former-miss-usa-rima-fakih-arrested-on-suspicion-of-drunk-driving-police-say/) Miss Fakih may have just made a bad decision, and does seem extremely remorseful but, the message has already been sent.

It is easy to say these people are still just people who still make mistakes and should not be held to a higher standard. And while true they are still just regular people, they have to live their lives knowing that they eyes of many are watching.  Whether you ask for the privilege of being a role model or it falls upon you because of your status, it is up to you to live up to that responsibility.

Even more important, is for parents to realize they too are role models. Just because your child hopes to be the next Aaron Rodgers, doesn’t mean that he  isn’t looking up to you and following in your footsteps. In fact, a new study just released showed that if a parent recieves a DUI, their teens may make the same choice. (http://health.msn.com/health-topics/addiction/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100282343) Parents have a huge influence on their kids and their choices. MADD’s Power of Parents program encourages parents to remember that nearly 1/3 of teens say their parents are the biggest influence in their choice to drink and gives tips on how to have the conversation-early and often – about alcohol. (You can always contact the MADD Nebraska State Office to learn more about Power of Parents!) It is not just about the celebrity role models and their actions, remember that the biggest role models are the ones your kids come in contact with every day.

It is especially important to think about our choices as role models this time of year. The holiday season is upon us and that means there are a lot of opportunities to make good choices in front of your kids. Make sure as you attend holiday parties and events, that you always designate a sober driver and to host parties responsibly-giving non-alcoholic options and making sure all guests have a sober ride home. Don’t forget that your kids are watching the choices you make and no matter who they look up to, you are the biggest role model they have.

Five Stars

MADD released it’s Report to the Nation in honor of the fifth anniversary of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving on Wednesday. Each state was giving a ranking of one to five, based on it’s implementation of proven drunk driving countermeasures. And guess what?! Nebraska received a five star rating! If you haven’t yet seen it in the news, we got the chance to announce this rating with Governor Heieneman, First Lady Sally Ganem, and Colonel Sankey of the Nebraska State Patrol on Wednesday! We thank all of them and the amazing group that showed up to support us and Tie One on for Safety during the press conference!

The ranking was based on five different criteria, including the use of ignition interlock, enhanced penalties for driving drunk with children in the car and the use of sobriety checkpoints.  Check out this link (http://www.madd.org/blog/report-to-the-nation.html) for the full report and check out how the other states across the nation did! A five star rating was hard to come by and we are very proud of all of the work that went into Nebraska getting it! So many people worked hard for many years to put all of these measures in place to make Nebraska a safer place. The ranking is just a number, the real importance is the fact that these five things we were ranked on could save a life! We think it is important to thank all of our partners who worked so much over the past five years to recognize the danger of drunk driving and help put Nebraska on the right path for eliminating it! Law Enforcement, the state Legislators and government, all of our volunteers and supporters who we count on for so much, the MADD staff past and present who spend their days thinking about how we can work towards saving lives, and the highway safety partners across the state! It is truly a team effort, although the work each group does is important, no one of them alone could make Nebraska as safe as it is when we all work together!

All that being said, this five star rating is just the motivation to move us forward and continue the fight! It is just a stepping stone. Even with all of these measures in place, families have still had to mourn the loss of their family member to drunk drivers. So our job is not done, until there are no more victims. Until no family has to experience the tragedy of having someone taken from them in an alcohol related crash. That means our work has really just begun. We need to continue to work to make sure no one ever gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking, whether that is through education, fear of the judicial system and the punishment they may face, through designated drivers, hard working law enforcement and new technology we will someday have!

So we took this week and celebrated the work that has been done. All the while remembering the victims, the victims who bravely stood at our press conference and told the world of the loss they are feeling, the victims who show us that our work is not done. They show us that our five star ranking is just the start and our task will only be accomplished when drunk driving is eliminated. So we are done celebrating and back to working hard, because truly our work is far from done.