Driving under the influence and distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America's roadways. According to the latest Centers for Disease Control statistics nearly 11,000 people died due to alcohol impaired driving crashes in 2010 alone and over 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes. Those alarming numbers have spurred Rhode Island businesses and organizations to join forces with the KDMF.
This month the KDMF launched its Magnet Campaign, with AAA of Southern New England placing eighty, twelve by eighteen inch magnets on their vehicles statewide. The KDMF says they have also partnered with the Rhode Island State Police, Big Blue Bug Solutions, Del’s Lemonade, Munroe Dairy, and Almeida Plumbing, are all participants in this latest campaign to help keep the roadways safe.
"We are so pleased and honored that such respected and conscientious organizations are joining forces with the KDMF to help encourage motorists to drive responsibly, and hopefully, save lives,” John DeCubellis, the Executive Director of the KDMF tells this Examiner.
John and Meg DeCubellis know first-hand of the devastating toll impaired driving can have on a family. October 29, 1999 a drunken driver killed thirteen year old Katie DeCubellis. Since then, the Foundation has strived to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving.
The foundation says each month one or more establishments will place the KDMF magnets on its vehicles helping KDMF to encourage the public to take notice. The goal is to raise awareness and also thank the organizations who are all so willing to donate some space on their vehicles.
“AAA Southern New England is proud to be associated with the great work of the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation,” said Lloyd Albert, AAA’s senior vice president of public and government affairs. “If this thoughtful and timely awareness campaign helps to avert even one crash caused by a distracted or impaired driver, it will have been well worth the effort.”
To date, The KDMF has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships, prizes and donations. For more information log onto www.kdmf.org. This month the foundation also launches their annual writing contest here students can win up to one thousand dollars. To watch video of former NBA player Chris Herren lending his support to the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation click here.
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