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The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

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Students Against Drunk Driving club raises awareness at Paly

The Students Against Drunk Driving club, also known as SADD, has been an active participant in the enrichment of student activities at Paly for almost four years.
Paly graduate Katie Krummel started the SADD club in 2000, and over the past four years the club has grown in numbers and increased the awareness of the severity of drunk driving. The club puts tragic facts in the daily bulletin about drunk driving accidents, especially when a school dance date is near.

According to SADD club president Maggie Krummel, the club’s short-term goal for the rest of the school year is to keep everyone aware of the dangers of drunk driving.

"A lot of high school kids think that they are invincible, and many don’t believe that it [getting in a drunk driving accident] could ever happen to them," Krummel said. "Hpwever, the truth is that it is possible.

According to the official Mothers Against Drunk Driving website (www.MADD.org), in 2002 an estimated 17,419 people died in alcohol related automobile crashes. That is an average of one death every 30 minutes and these deaths amount to 41 percent of the 42,815 total traffic fatalities in 2002. In addition, in 2002, 29 percent of 15 to 20 year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking – twenty-four percent were intoxicated.

Krummel, along with other students in SADD club, believes that part of the reason for drunk driving in high school is that members of the Paly community, especially parents, are unrealistic about teenage drinking.

"The fact is that it goes on, and it isn’t ever going to change," Krummel said. "Students will always drink, and most parents do not accept this. We think parents should encourage their kids to call them if they are drunk and need a ride (without immediate punishment). I think many kids drive after they have been drinking because they are too afraid of getting in trouble with their parents."

The Palo Alto School District, united with the Paly and Gunn SADD clubs, is planning two attempts over the next six months to raise awareness around Palo Alto campuses.

The SADD club’s long-term goals are to, stop drunk driving from ever happening. "It seems really unrealistic at times, but the members try to do what we can to prevent it. We are only one school out of thousands in the country, but we are trying to do our part on a small level," Krummel said.

Look for club meeting days in the daily bulletin. SADD club usually meets once a month on Thursday in room 306.

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