Lights on for Life: A Campaign to Discourage Drinking and Driving
JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) – On Blackout Wednesday, the HFM Prevention Council launched its 2024 Lights on for Life campaign, a initiative to discourage drinking and driving. Five local coalitions have partnered with the council to promote safe driving practices.
A Decade-Long Effort
Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties have been involved with the campaign for over a decade. The coalitions visit local businesses, placing flyers and QR codes that encourage patrons to take a pledge not to drive while impaired. Gwendolyn Ossenkop, Coalition Coordinator of Montgomery County Cares, explained, "We visit local businesses and put up some of the flyers there so that patrons can come in, scan the QR code, take the pledge, to not drive while impaired."
A Pledge for All
Everyone is encouraged to sign the pledge, from college students and adults to younger kids in local school districts. Ossenkop noted, "With our younger students, for us, for Montgomery County, we talk more about just making sure that you’re not getting in the car with somebody who’s been drinking." The pledge typically receives a few hundred student signatures each year, but the coalitions emphasize that it’s not just about the number of signatures.
Spreading the Message
Victoria Moore, Project Coordinator of Four Rivers Alliance, described, "With all of the pamphlets and all of the information that we have for our community members, it’s still sticking in the back of their brains. They’re still talking about it with their neighbors, their kids, their friends, so that information is getting out there." Bonnie Peck, Director and Project Coordinator of the Glove City Coalition, added, "When you drive by a house and see the lights on, if you’ve seen the billboards or received one of those flyers, you think, ‘Oh, I wonder if they have their Lights on for Life or they just happen to have the lights on.’"
Billboards and Beyond
The 2024 Lights on for Life campaign will run until January 1, with four billboards throughout the tri-county area starting December 2. The coalitions hope that the campaign will raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and encourage people to make responsible choices.
Conclusion
The Lights on for Life campaign is an important initiative that aims to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents and promote a culture of responsible drinking. By involving local businesses, schools, and communities, the coalitions hope to make a positive impact on the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Lights on for Life campaign?
A: The campaign aims to discourage drinking and driving and promote safe driving practices.
Q: How long has the campaign been running?
A: The campaign has been running for over a decade in Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties.
Q: Who is involved in the campaign?
A: Five local coalitions have partnered with the HFM Prevention Council to promote the campaign.
Q: What is the goal of the campaign?
A: The goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and encourage people to make responsible choices.
