Mason High School's Safe Driving Team, a student-led group, has been actively working to educate fellow students on the importance of responsible driving. The initiative gained renewed urgency following the loss of two students, 16-year-olds Lillian Klages and Amanda Blue, in a car accident last year.
Senior Aidan Daenzer emphasized the gravity of driving, stating, "Every time you get in the car, the car is a weapon. You are behind the wheel, and you can severely change people’s lives in seconds."
To reinforce their message, the team organized an event featuring speakers who have experienced the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Joye Cochran, a mother from Holt, shared the story of her son, who died in a drunk driving accident in 2011. She advised students, "If you feel like somebody is not cognitively strong enough to drive, or they’ve had any sort of anything that’s going to impair their ability to make quick decisions, don’t get in the car."
Amy and Ashley Folleth recounted the loss of their father and husband, respectively, who was killed by a drunk driver while working as a construction worker. Amy Folleth urged, "This isn’t about rules or lectures, this is about lives. It’s about that one second you cannot take back. So, I’m asking from my family to yours, don’t drink and drive."
The Safe Driving Team's efforts are supported by special grant funding, enabling them to host events and spread awareness. Their campaign's tagline, "Drive safe. Someone loves you," serves as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved every time someone gets behind the wheel.
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