KDMF and AAA kick off the new year reminding motorists to drive responsibly

The holidays are suppose to be a time of cheer but too often they end in tragedy. According to the Rhode Island DMV, drunk drivers cause more than half of the accidents in the United States that result in death. More than 25,000 people die in alcohol-related car accidents each year. After just one drink, your chances of an accident multiply by seven.

Those alarming statistics have spurred Rhode Island businesses and organizations to team up with the KDMF to help remind motorists to drive responsibly.

January 1st 2014, the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation launches its second annual Magnet Campaign, with AAA of Southern New England placing eighty, twelve by eighteen inch magnets on their vehicles statewide. The KDMF is also proud to announce, the Rhode Island State Police, Big Blue Bug Solutions, Del’s Lemonade, Munroe Dairy, and Almeida Plumbing, and Yard Works are all participants for the second year in this campaign to help keep the roadways safe.

“Last year’s auto magnet program was more successful that we ever imagined as we received a lot of positive feedback ! It was a simple, but extremely effective way to generate awareness to thousands and thousands of drivers on our roadways about the consequences of drunk and/or distracted  driving, said John DeCubellis, the Executive Director of the KDMF. As a result, this year, the KDMF is fortunate to again partner with several respected and conscientious organizations to help encourage motorists to drive responsibly and hopefully, continue to save lives! It is truly a team effort that we hope will continue to have a strong, positive effect throughout this State and beyond!”
 
John and Meg DeCubellis know first-hand of the devastating toll impaired driving can have on a family. October 29th, 1999 a drunken driver killed thirteen year old Katie DeCubellis of Narragansett. Since then, the Foundation has strived to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving.

Each month one or more establishments will place the KDMF magnets on its vehicles helping KDMF to encourage the public to take notice. The goal is to raise awareness and also thank the organizations who are all so willing to donate some space on their vehicles.

“AAA Southern New England is proud to be associated with the great work of the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation,” said Lloyd Albert, AAA’s senior vice president of public and government affairs. “If this thoughtful and timely awareness campaign helps to avert even one crash caused by a distracted or impaired driver, it will have been well worth the effort.”

To date, The KDMF has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships, prizes and donations.  For more information log onto www.kdmf.org