FONDA — Every year thousands of high school students across New York state look forward to attending their prom and graduation ceremony. For parents, siblings, educators, and the community, these memorable moments become tarnished when a child dies in a car crash, according to a news release.
The “No Empty Chair” campaign is a teen driving safety education and enforcement campaign, funded by the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, to raise awareness of highway dangers during prom and graduation season, the news release stated.
Each year, across our nation, teenage drivers are killed, injured or left with lifetime disabilities from motor vehicle crashes that are preventable. Students should do their part to ensure that they are in their chair on graduation day and are able to safely enjoy this time with family and friends. The end of the school year is about celebrations and making memories that will last a lifetime, the news release stated.
The Montgomery County Public Health will join law enforcement across the state to raise awareness in the week-long, multi-agency campaign which will run from Monday through Friday, the news release stated.
In support of this campaign MCPH is distributing free posters and a flash drive to each Montgomery County high school, the news release stated.
MCPH encourages teens to make smart decisions about speeding, drinking, texting and other unsafe behaviors when behind the wheel, the news release stated.
