MADD and DaimlerChrysler Unveil Photo Exhibit Depicting Lives Changed Forever by Underage Drinking and Driving
29 Août 2006 - 4:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
* National, traveling photo exhibition highlights the far-reaching
effects of underage drinking and driving and the need for MADD's
free victim services * Features the photography of Pulitzer
finalist Jeffrey Lamont Brown * Nearly 2,000 people killed in
alcohol-related traffic crashes involving an underage drinking
driver in 2004 AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and DaimlerChrysler have
teamed up to produce After the Crash, a national, traveling photo
exhibition that provides a glimpse into the lives of 10 families
changed forever by underage drinking and driving. Launched today in
Detroit, the exhibition aims to educate teens and their parents
about a tragic consequence of underage drinking -- devastating
motor vehicle crashes -- as well as the ongoing and critical need
for victim support. "The powerful images of these 10 victims convey
the enormous effects that underage drinking and driving can have on
people and families. Teenagers drinking alcohol is not only illegal
but often times a lethal combination with tragic results and
consequences," said Glynn Birch, MADD national president. "When
tragedy does occur, the public should know where to turn -- to
MADD. We have free resources available including grief counseling,
and legal and financial guidance." In 2004, nearly 2,000 people
were killed and another half a million people were injured in
alcohol-related traffic crashes involving an underage drinking
driver. Research continues to show that young drivers (age 15-20)
are more often involved in alcohol-related crashes than any other
comparable age group. Traffic crashes are the number one killer of
teens, and nearly one-third of teen traffic deaths are
alcohol-related. "DaimlerChrysler is committed to keeping drivers
and passengers safe on the road. Through this exhibit, we want to
educate teens and their parents on the horrific consequences of
underage drinking and driving," said Eric Ridenour, Chief Operating
Officer - Chrysler Group. "As the father of teenagers, with one who
is already driving, I'm personally committed to this issue. Our
hope is that the exhibit's lasting images and messages will help
curb underage drinking and driving." The stories highlighted in the
exhibition also demonstrate the need for MADD's victim services,
including: emotional support, guidance through the criminal justice
system and community referrals for financial assistance. As
friends, family and survivors struggle to navigate through the
grief process, many are also confronted with unexpected legal and
financial challenges. Victims can find support by calling
1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435), which connects them to trained
staff and volunteers who can provide emotional support and
practical information. Last year, MADD's network of trained
advocates provided assistance to more than 38,000
victims/survivors. Jan Withers, whose story is featured in the
photo exhibit, is a drunk driving survivor who has become a MADD
victim advocate in Upper Marlboro, Md. Fifteen years after an
underage drunk driver killed her daughter, she dedicates her time
to guide other victims/survivors through the grieving process.
"There is no timeline on grief. It's an eternal timeline," said
Withers. "The support of MADD's victim services was critical to my
survivorship, and now I work to instill that same hope in others."
By calling a local MADD affiliate, a victim/survivor will be put in
touch with an advocate who can provide comfort, help and guidance.
Victim advocates can assist with the criminal justice proceedings
and, in many cases, will accompany victims to court. They also may
be able to provide a list of local professional counselors, civil
attorneys and clergy who are skilled at working with crash victims.
Victim advocates can also help victims apply for government Crime
Victims Compensation funds. After the Crash, featuring the
photography of Pulitzer finalist Jeffrey Lamont Brown,
(http://www.jeffreybrown.com/ ), will travel to 10 cities and be
displayed in major shopping malls from late summer through the
fall. MADD staff and volunteers will be on site at each location to
provide information about their victim services. Locations on the
tour include: Detroit; Cincinnati; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Miami;
Nashville; St. Louis; Denver; Houston; and Dallas. For more
information about the exhibit and the families featured, please
visit http://www.afterthecrash.org/ . After the Crash continues
DaimlerChrysler's commitment to automobile safety through
educational programs to help keep drivers and passengers safe when
riding in motor vehicles. DaimlerChrysler also promotes teen
driving safety through its Road Ready Teens program, which is an
effort to reduce teen traffic crashes through increased awareness
about the risks and responsibilities teens face as new,
inexperienced drivers. For more information, visit
http://www.roadreadyteens.org/ . MADD's mission is to stop drunk
driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent
underage drinking. MADD is a 501(c)(3) charity with approximately
400 affiliate offices and 2 million members and supporters
nationwide. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 300,000
lives. For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/ .
DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Kristin Tyll of Chrysler Group,
+1-248-512-1954, ; or Misty Moyse of MADD, +1-469-420-4558, ; or
Nicole Bender of GMMB, +1-202-572-2926, Web site:
http://www.afterthecrash.org/ http://www.roadreadyteens.org/
http://www.madd.org/ http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.jeffreybrown.com/
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