The Prom Season and other end of school year activities are upon us and the Los Alamitos Police Department is confident that students, parents, and concerned community members will take a moment to consider the serious public safety issues involved with underage drinking and with driving under the influence. The Police Department wishes everyone a safe conclusion of the school year and our hope is to prevent a tragedy - in partnership with our Community.
Every other year, the Los Alamitos Police Department collaborates with the Youth Center and other community groups and agencies to present the program, Every 15 Minutes. The last presentation was last year and it presents these issues in an immersive and powerful way. To find out more about the program, visit their website. You can see a 10 minute video illustrating this program posted at the top of this article, or on our website.
The following are some important facts to discuss with loved ones.
UNDERAGE DRINKING IS A SERIOUS ISSUE
• Each year thousands of teens are killed or injured in traffic crashes as a result of underage drinking.
• During 2006, 7,643 15- to 20-year-old drivers and motorcycle operators were involved in fatal traffic crashes across the Nation, 1,377 (18 percent) of whom had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, despite the fact that it is illegal for teens to drive after drinking any alcohol.
• Nationally, 64 percent of all drivers or motorcycle operators ages 15 to 20 who were involved in fatal traffic crashes and had a BAC of .08 or higher died as a result of the crash.
• Local community leaders, concerned citizens, and the Los Alamitos Police Department are joined together to prevent underage drinking.
• Teens and parents both need a strong reminder – underage drinking is illegal and can have disastrous consequences.
DRINKING AND DRIVING IS A DEADLY CRIME
• Too many people still don’t understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime.
• Most of those killed in alcohol-related crashes involving teen drivers are the young drivers themselves and their passengers.
• Throughout the year, local law enforcement will continue to watch for underage drinkers and adult providers– and the chances of getting caught have never been greater.
• Remember, giving teens alcohol is not only wrong – it’s against the law. Underage Drinking. Adult Consequences.
For more information please visit www.nhtsa.gov