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AAA PROMISE PROGRAM PROTECTS TAMPA TEENS
The AAA PROMise is a pilot program only offered in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties to ensure everyone gets home safely on prom night
TAMPA, Fla. (April 5, 2011) — AAA Auto Club South launched the AAA PROMise, an anti-drinking program that caters to high school seniors and their parents during prom season. The program is a pilot only offered in 2011 to Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties from April 1 through May 31. The AAA PROMise is an adult-decision made by a high school senior before prom night to not drink alcohol, drive intoxicated or let a friend drive whose sobriety is in question. When AAA presented the AAA PROMise to more than 100 students that represent all Hillsborough County High School Student Government Associations, more than 82 percent of students made the AAA PROMise.
AAA reinforces the parent-teen relationship by fostering a predetermined agreement, that no matter what, the teen can call their parent for a safe ride home, so they don’t end up in jail, a hospital, or morgue. Together, AAA and parents create a solid defense against the detrimental consequences of intoxicated driving. The parent picks up the stranded teen and AAA tows home the family vehicle, free of charge, member or not. If a parent has to pick their teen up on prom night, the parent can call AAA to tow the vehicle home, no matter where it is located, by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP.
“The AAA PROMise is a three-part agreement between the high school senior, their parents, and AAA,” said Kevin Bakewell, sr. vice president, AAA Auto Club South. “We want the student to promise their parents they will make adult decisions on prom night, the parent to promise their teen they will pick them up should they not have a safe way home, and AAA promises to give a free tow home of the family vehicle, whether or not they are a AAA member.”
More than one-third of youth under the age of 21 who were killed in alcohol-related fatalities died during prom season in 2009, the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
AAA partnered with a group of seniors from Hillsborough High School to help get the AAA PROMise message out to more than 22,000 seniors in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. More than anything, AAA wants teens to talk with other teens about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and intoxicated driving.
The AAA PROMise started as a means to support parents, teens, and local law enforcement to ensure everyone gets home safely on prom night. High school seniors can make the AAA PROMise by texting the word “promise” to 46786 or online at AAA.com/SafetyMatters. In addition, students can enter to win a $500 VISA gift card to help pay for prom expenses and a free AAA membership.
“Year after year, AAA receives calls from local law enforcement asking us if we can somehow help with the increased number of teen injuries and fatalities that occur during prom season,” said Bakewell. “Funded by our new Auto Club South Traffic Safety Foundation, we decided to pilot the AAA PROMise in Tampa Bay’s tri-county area. If the program proves successful, the Foundation will look to expand the program next year.”
AAA PROMise
I promise not to drink alcohol.
I promise not to drive intoxicated.
I promise not to let my friends drive intoxicated.
I promise my parents I will get home safely on prom night.
The Auto Club South Traffic Safety Foundation, Inc. (ACSTSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to a significant and continuous reduction in traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in the communities targeted by its efforts. In addition to creating new traffic safety programs, the Foundation will expand AAA’s already life-saving programs such as the AAA School Safety Patrol program. ACSTSF is funded by voluntary, tax-deductible contributions from organizations and individuals who support ACSTSF’s purpose.
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AAA Auto Club South, 1515 N West Shore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607-4505 United States