THE HORROR STORY OF THE BENSKIN FAMILY Horrific site – three killed in fiery crash in 1997 due to “under 21” drunk driving. My uncle hit a car with two in it, he and two others were in his truck (drunk). It was a huge fiery mess and only two survived the accident – the driver (my uncle) and one of his passengers.

Who is affected really?  I’m affected – my uncle drove drunk at 20, killed his best friend, two strangers, and my ability to ever consider him a good person. I was 5 years old when this accident happened, and I still remember the heartache my Grandma felt, my Dad felt, and my other relatives for the pain he caused them because of killing others.

TODAY’S SITE – ALWAYS REMEMBERED BY FAMILIES TODAY’S SITE – ALWAYS REMEMBERED BY FAMILIES The day my life got turned upside down – for my family, for what a family member did Seriously, why does this have to happen, and we can educate students at a younger age to prevent this!!!

Don’t let this happen to yourself or someone you love! Why couldn’t this be stopped? Parents didn’t think allowing their teen/20 year old to drink would cause this problem

Why do young people drive drunk?  They think it’s cool (it’s NOT!)  They don’t think anything bad will happen (it does!)  Their parents do it, so they don’t think anything of it (it could happen to older adults!)  They think they’ll make it home, even if they get pulled over (think again!)

What happened to my drunk-driving Uncle?  My uncle was convicted of three counts of vehicular manslaughter with 15 year sentence - he only served 7 years  My uncle was allowed to get a license after a while, and he got caught again, only no one got hurt – so he served another 3 years  He lost his license, lost his job, ability to hunt with a firearm, and lost my respect

What else is lost because of this?  My uncle says he thinks about the accident and really makes him really sad at times (some depression)  My grandma paid for all his attorney’s fees and fines – it basically took her life savings to help him  He has a hard time finding jobs where “driving” isn’t an issue, or getting to the job.

What about people under 20?  If they are going to college or about to go, their scholarships are lost, and some don’t get accepted in college, making them unable to get a good job and be a contributing member of society  Their family members will feel shame, due to the stupid risk their child took  Now many jobs ask for your driving record – they will find out!

What can be done?  Children need to be taught at a young age, that alcohol is not to be used if you plan on driving, let alone be used before the age of 21.  Start showing pictures of accidents to young people in health classes and assemblies, or special events. Use reality to scare them.  Show that using drugs and alcohol is not cool, and that most adults are being responsible if they use alcohol by having a designated driver who has had nothing.  More, more, more at a younger age – then, maybe the student can resist when the temptation arises.

Bigger Picture – what should be done? There has been a “click-it or ticket” campaign, why not a hard-hitting media campaign targeting young teens about drugs/alcohol and drunk driving under age? Make stiffer penalties for those caught driving drunk under 21. Required jail time and community speaking afterwards for any underage drinker/driver that injures or kills a person. If you don’t do your time, you don’t get out.

IT’S DECLINING - LET’S KEEP IT GOING! Let’s keep this published trend going down – more education for teens and their parents!!

Under 21 Deaths The previous slide shows the declines as listed by the NHTSA/FARS website – BUT... Staggering Statistic from NHTSA/FARS: Among 15- to 20-year old drivers involved in fatal car crashes, 31% of the drivers who were killed had been drinking and 25% who were killed in crashes had a BAC of.08 or higher. Furthermore, nearly two percent of these young drivers involved in a fatal crash had a previous DWI conviction. (Source: NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts “Young Drivers,” 2009) ONE is too many when it happens to your family!

What age does drinking start?  39% of eighth graders report they have tried alcohol at least once in their lifetime.  58% of tenth graders report they have tried alcohol at least once in their lifetime.  72% of twelfth graders report they have tried alcohol at least once in their lifetime. (statistics courtesy of Century Council website) What about your children – do you really know? My parents always asked and gave friends their business cards with all their contacts to be their Designated Drivers, no questions asked!

NORTH CAROLINA  In 2008 – 49 Fatalities were involving Under 21 Drunk Drivers in North Carolina. HOPEFULLY none were in your family that are lost HOPEFULLY none were your friends that are lost HOPEFULLY their stories can be shared to make a difference so it’s fewer and fewer every year! (statistics courtesy of Century Council website)

Stay Alive and Be Smart  Don’t do drugs or use alcohol before you are 21  Educate parents on laws about contributing to minors and their consequences  Make all people convicted of DUI/DWI under 21, take a required class with statistics and devastation it can cause  Offer to be a designated driver

Don’t have the bad day! “ We had just gotten home from my brother’s big win at the NC-USA State Wrestling championship, and there was suppose to be a celebration the next day. Instead, we mourned for what happened that evening in Missouri. I remember my dad listening to the messages when we got home at 2AM, not knowing if my uncle was alive, and my parents talking about how he had killed three others. I cried then as a 5-year old and it still upsets me to know it could have been prevented. Today, I worry about driving at night, and I could be the innocent person affected (again). I hope that by sharing this information, others are saved by people “thinking” before they kill innocent people by driving drunk, no matter the age!” Kasi Benskin