What’s Your Excuse?
Every day, countless lives are put at risk by individuals who convince themselves it’s okay to drive under the influence. Here are some of the excuses we hear:
These excuses are all too common, but they fail to account for the irreversible consequences of impaired driving. For victims and their families, there are no second chances, no rewinds, no do-overs. The devastation is permanent.
If you think you’ll be fine, consider the countless individuals who thought the same—only to face the unthinkable. Instead of making excuses, make a plan: arrange for a designated driver, call a rideshare, or stay overnight. Every responsible decision could save lives, including your own.
NYS’s 911 Good Samaritan Law Fact Sheet
Protects anyone who calls 911 for a drug or alcohol overdose—whether it’s their own or someone else’s—from fear arrest.
In our mission to combat impaired driving, we draw strength from a timeless story:
A Chinese grandfather, blocked from the morning sunlight by a nearby mountain, began a lifelong task. Each day, he carried a small stone from the mountain to the other side of a stream. His son and grandson joined him, questioning why they did it. “As long as you continue, and teach others to do the same,” the grandfather said, “the mountain will someday be moved.”
Though the grandfather knew he wouldn’t see the mountain’s removal in his lifetime, he trusted in the collective effort of generations to achieve the goal.
At DEDICATEDD, we work to move our own mountain—a mountain of loss, heartbreak, and impaired driving tragedies. Each small action we take, each pebble we move, honors victims and brings hope for a brighter future. Together, we can create lasting change.
Prom and graduation are milestones—celebrations filled with hope, joy, and dreams for the future. Yet for some families, these moments turn into nightmares marked by flashing lights, sirens, and grief.
As prom and graduation season approach, we urge students to make responsible choices. Avoid the temptation to drink or use drugs, and never get in the car with someone who is impaired. Remember:
For families whose children have died due to impaired driving, there are no words to ease their pain. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of what’s at stake. Please choose responsibility over risk. Let this season be one of celebration, not tragedy.
Law enforcement plays a critical role in identifying and apprehending impaired drivers. Officers rely on sobriety checkpoints and blanket patrols to spot dangerous behaviors, such as:
When officers pull over a vehicle, they assess the driver for signs of impairment, including slurred speech, the smell of alcohol or drugs, and coordination issues.
Standardized field sobriety tests—such as the one-legged stand or horizontal gaze nystagmus test—help determine the driver’s ability to perform tasks that require divided attention, a skill crucial for safe driving.
If evidence supports it, the driver may undergo chemical testing for alcohol or drugs and face legal consequences for driving under the influence. These measures are designed not only to hold offenders accountable but to prevent future tragedies.
At DEDICATEDD, we envision a world where impaired driving is a thing of the past. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we strive to eliminate the dangers of drunk, drugged, and impaired driving.
Every choice matters. Every action makes a difference. By working together, we can create safer roads, waterways, and communities for everyone. Join us in moving this mountain—stone by stone, life by life, for a brighter future.