Events: After The Crash

A Mother's Angst

Tested: 10/21/2006 to 10/21/2006

MADD

As a mother of a 14-year-old, I am keenly aware of the barrage of dangers that are out in the world awaiting him. One that concerns me most is underage drinking and driving. Car accidents are the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers and about a third of those accidents involve alcohol. Not a pretty statistic for anyone, but especially not for moms.

DaimlerChrysler and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) have teamed up with a nationwide exhibit featuring photographs of people affected by teenage drinking and driving. The “After the Crash” exhibit features the photography of Jeffrey Lamont Brown. He captures moments in the lives of 10 families whose lives have been affected by impaired teenage drivers. The purpose of the traveling exhibit is to educate teens and their parents about the consequences of drinking and driving. Another benefit is that is raises awareness of MADD’s free victim services program. MADD served more than 38,000 victims and survivors in 2005, and has served countless others since its inception in 1980.

DaimlerChrysler is also highlighting its Road Ready Teens program, which aims to help young teens and their parents understand the responsibility and maturity that are a prerequisite for driving a car. My son and I sit down to check out the site and internet video game that is in the teen section of the site. The video game, Road Ready StreetWise, takes teens through various levels where decision making skills and quick reflexes get put to the test. The parent/teen driving contract is a great jumping off point for conversations about expectations. There are other resources including information about graduated licensure (by state) and links to other teen driving websites. It is a nice way to spend an afternoon with my teenager. It is a really non-threatening way to present a serious subject and I think my son enjoys it (although he might never admit to it).

The two remaining stops on the 2006 After the Crash tour are in Houston and Arlington, Texas. For those outside of Texas, www.afterthecrash.org features the same photography as the traveling exhibit and some additional content including videos and profiles of each of the featured families. Check this out, it is definitely worth your time and the time of the teenagers you care about.

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Features:	Making the journey through tragedy, healing and hope with MADD victim services. Sponsored by DaimlerChrysler.