You’ve probably attended a life management class cautioning against the dangers of drunk driving. You might have seen video simulations about driving accidents influenced by alcohol. You might have learned how to act in hypothetical situations involving peer pressure around alcohol.
And sadly, you’ve most definitely heard of teenagers who have lost their lives due to their own or someone else’s carelessness in driving under the influence of alcohol.
These disasters happen even though we’re taught from a sensible age to refute the idea. Drunk driving? No way!
But today, many Calgarian teens obtain their driver’s license before they turn 18, the age when they’re presumably entitled to make their own decisions and prove that they can take care of themselves. In a way, this is true because graduation season is indeed one major test of responsibility behind the wheel.
This year, Committee 2 of Mayor’s Youth Council is focusing on the issue of drunk driving and Calgarian teens. But how do we tackle an issue that arises from personal faltering of responsibility? We are horrified enough at the potential consequences, so this is a problem which must be targeted in our attitudes at the moment that it matters most.
This graduation season, we would like to give high-school graduates that extra heads up about not getting carried away when they’re celebrating with friends.
We’re working on organizing an event at one or more high schools some time near their graduation date. The seniors would create a mural (or other substantial amalgamation) with their fingerprints. Each individual would take a vow to not drink and drive on graduation day (and beyond), and as each inked finger is pressed to the wall, the collective spirit to prevent this issue would, hopefully, grow stronger.
Do you think this kind of personal vow would be effective? Would you prefer leaving something less personal, such as a written oath? Or do you have a completely different idea for how we can take a step in making a difference for at least one class of graduates? We’d like to think that we’re in control, and we most certainly are; but we can find ways of helping each other seize that crucial moment.
I don't think that this oath will be effective at all. the teens don't need to promise anybody anything, except their parents and themselves. Putting their finger print on a wall won't Help their promise. Maybe some will take it seriously but most wont.