BY LOS ALAMOS COUNTY DWI PLANNING COUNCIL
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
LOS ALAMOS POLICE DEPARTMENT
This weekend is Homecoming, with many activities happening in Los Alamos County Friday and Saturday. The Los Alamos County DWI Planning Council, the Los Alamos County Health Council, and the Los Alamos County Police Department want to remind parents and high school Toppers that even though it is a time to celebrate, it is also a time to make sure safety remains a priority.
In 2022, a total of 2,883 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute). These fatalities were due to speeding, distracted driving, and/or driving while intoxicated.
Recently, we’ve seen several fatalities in Los Alamos County that may have been caused by the same issues. Over the weekend, a Pojoaque Valley High School senior passed away because of a fatal single-car rollover. The senior was believed to have been driving home after homecoming events. On Tuesday night, a car crash happened resulting in an Espanola teen dying, and another one critically injured. We join the Pojoaque and Espanola communities in mourning these lives lost, and want all of our young people to return home safely.
Parents, please remind your teenager about the following safe driving tips:
- Never get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking alcohol or using substances
- Never drive drowsy
- Limit distractions from by cell phones and other devices, so you can pay full attention to the road
- Always wear a seat belt
- Drive the posted speed limit
- If you are the passenger, do not get into a car with someone who isn’t sober
Students, please drive safely this homecoming! Not only for yourself, but for your classmates, your friends, and for your family.