Driving under the influence and distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America's roadways. This past weekend Rhode Island State Police arrested a father, who rolled his pickup while allegedly driving under the influence. Police say his seven year old son was in the truck. That same night Police say a Warwick woman, driving under the influence, swerved into another car causing serious injury to a young girl. Tonight the General Assembly will look at bills to toughen laws in Rhode Island.
This month KDMF will launch its Magnet Campaign, with Munroe Dairy placing nearly forty, twelve by eighteen inch magnets on their vehicles statewide. The KDMF is also proud to announce, AAA of Southern New England, the Rhode Island State Police, Big Blue Bug Solutions, Del’s Lemonade, and Almeida Plumbing, and YardWorks Inc. 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,” said John DeCubellis, the Executive Director of the KDMF.
John and Meg DeCubellis know first-hand of the devastating toll impaired driving can have on a family. October 29th, 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.
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.
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.
"Please drive as if your life depends on you,” states Munroe Dairy General Manager Rick Gregoire, "other lives always do."
To date, The KDMF has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships, prizes and donations. The foundation also teamed up with former NBA player Chris Herren and Middleweight Boxing Champion Peter Manfredo, click here to see the KDMF PSA's.
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