By:Carrie James
At the entrance to East Meadow High School last week, students got a first-hand glimpse of what could happen should they choose to drive recklessly or under the influence.
"Every year around this time, you read in the daily newspapers about some senseless accident where some teens wrapped themselves around a tree or a telephone pole. It's not just driving while intoxicated; it's not just drinking or drugs, it's also excess speed," said Councilman Gary Hudes about his motivation to start a program in his district that gives kids a visual reminder of what can happen when someone makes a bad decision behind the wheel. "I thought that if the town supervisor and myself could put together a program where if I could remind just one person in my district, it would be worth it."
With signs posted next to the wrecked cars stating "Don't let your night end like this," Hudes hoped to educate students that any bad decision such as driving drunk, driving under the influence of drugs or even driving recklessly or at excessive speeds could lead to an accident, maybe even a fatality.
The Town of Hempstead-sponsored program places wrecked cars at high schools in Hudes' district for at least a week so that students can see the damage and reflect, Hudes said. The four totaled cars that move from school to school were donated by Coachman Auto Works Inc. in East Meadow and Novak Auto in Oceanside. Coachman also provides towing service for the program.
East Meadow School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Dillon said a program such as this one is a great way to educate students about safety.
"It's important to enlighten the children about the importance of safe driving and to make good decisions," Dillon said about bringing the program to the district's two high schools. "We have it out just before graduation and prom functions so it serves as a visual reminder."
Partial motivation for developing the program in his district, Hudes said, is the present driving behavior of teenagers today. They aren't scared when they first drive anymore, he said, and they aren't always careful.
"The way kids drive these days is unfortunately less desirable in many cases. It's a weapon on wheels, and we want, as parents, to see our children leave and come back to us safe and sound," Hudes said. "This program is really meant to shock the kids."
