2008 Safe Prom Campaign

TEAM Georgia Launches 2008 Safe Prom Campaign
Safe and sober driving coalition educates teens on the importance of safe celebrations

Prom season is an exciting time in teens' lives, but it's also a peak season for traffic accidents and fatalities involving young drivers under the influence. Recognizing that nearly half of the traffic crash fatalities among 15-20 year olds during weekends around prom are alcohol related, TEAM Georgia is working to keep the 2008 prom season safe as well as exciting by educating young drivers about the importance of sober driving and responsible celebrations.

To that end, TEAM Georgia, a safe and sober driving coalition of Atlanta professional sports teams and players, business and civic leaders, political officials and concerned citizens, is launching its annual Safe Prom Campaign to help prevent unnecessary tragedies on Georgia's roads. With the support of QuikTrip and Checker TEAM Georgia is distributing 9,000 wallet-sized tip sheets to young drivers, informing them of Georgia DUI laws and urging them to stay safe and sober on the road. Distributed to schools across the metro-Atlanta area, the teen driving cards can also be picked up at QuikTrip stations and found on the TEAM Georgia website, www.teamgeorgia.net.

An important component of the Safe Prom campaign is a free ride program. Rather than putting their safety at risk, metro-Atlanta teens who find themselves in need of a safe ride home on prom night can call campaign partner Checker Cab for a free ride, 404-351-1111.

"Impaired driving has turned too many prom nights into tragedies," said Maria Strollo, chairwoman of TEAM Georgia. "By educating teens about the consequences of driving under the influence, and by offering them a safe ride home, TEAM Georgia is saving lives."

For more than 20 years, TEAM Georgia has spread awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and provided tips to keep Georgians safe on the state's roads and waterways. TEAM Georgia's programs include the wintertime Safe Holiday campaign, in which participating Atlanta restaurants provide nonalcoholic drinks to designated drivers and taxi service for the intoxicated, the Safe Boating Program, and the Designated Driver Booth Program at area sporting and cultural venues. For more information on the Safe Prom Campaign, contact TEAM Georgia at 404-261-6053 or visit www.teamgeorgia.net.