PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Circuit Court hosts pre-prom safety program for Marion Catholic High School students

Released On 04/24/2002

Chicago, IL (04-24-02) – The Circuit Court of Cook County began hosting its annual prom season driving safety programs with a Safe Driving Assembly held today at Lourdes High School, 4304 West 56th Street in Chicago. Approximately 100 Lourdes seniors attended the assembly designed to educate young drivers about the dangers of alcohol, speed and poor judgment. The event was presented through the court's Drive Wise, Stay Alive Community Safety Initiative.

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said, "Annual pre-prom programs are part of the court's commitment to challenge students to drive safely. These programs provide vivid and heart-wrenching proof of the permanent consequences of reckless driving decisions."

Students participated in two thought provoking workshops called Life and Death in the ER and Licensed for Life. During Life and Death in the ER, a graphic presentation on the consequences of impaired driving is presented from the perspective of an emergency room nurse. In Licensed for Life, students use fatal vision goggles to simulate impairment while taking a field sobriety test.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people from 15 to 20 years old," according to Judge Patrick E. McGann, Chairperson of the Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative. "Our hope is that through this program, we can leave students with a positive attitude regarding the need for safety, and also provide education to guide them through the early stages of their driving experiences," Judge McGann said.

This program was funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.