SAVANNAH--Energized and devoted to altering the scary trend of teen deaths on the highway, veteran law enforcement officer Jim Griner launches the inaugural COPS-CAIR (Cops Against Illegal Racing) event at Savannah Mall on Jan. 31.
"COPS-CAIR is congregating positive role models, impressive cars and motorcycles in a lighthearted family environment -- complimented with music, food, great folks and information, area law enforcement and fire personnel -- to convey proactive driver safety information in a friendly, caring fashion," shares Griner.
The heartbreaking statistics highlight the importance of the COPS-CAIR outreach event. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.
• Each year, more than 5,000 teens (ages 16-20) are killed in passenger vehicle crashes.
• During 2006, a teen died in a traffic crash an average of once every hour on weekends and nearly once every two hours during the week.
• Nationally in 2006, 25 percent of the young drivers ages 15-20 who were killed in crashes had blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 or higher at the time of the crash.
• Nationally in 2006, 4,842 teen passenger vehicle occupants, ages 16-20, were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and 58 percent (2,813) were unrestrained at the time of the fatal crash.
• Teenage drivers and passengers are among those least likely to wear their seat belts.
• While all teens are at a high-risk of experiencing a fatal crash, young males, pickup truck drivers and passengers, as well as people living in rural areas are also among those least likely to buckle up.
The show is hosted by the Savannah Mall and will be held outside the Bass Pro Shops Store from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 31. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m.
Bill Edwards from WTKS-1290 AM radio, Low Country Customs and SuperBike Specialties are participating. The U.S. Army National Guard will be bringing the unit's climbing wall, "Patriot Hummer" and custom chopper built by Orange County Choppers (made famous on the TLC television program, American Chopper). Music, door prizes, food, raffle and merchandise will also be available.
The entry fee for the automobile and motorcycle contests is $30. Applications are available online at copscair.org. All proceeds benefit ongoing COPS C.A.I.R. outreach.
ABOUT COPS-CAIR
Cops C.A.I.R., Inc. (Cops Against Illegal Racing) is a nonprofit corporation that was created by law enforcement to provide an instructional presentation to teenagers and young adults. The focus topics are the effects of illegal racing, aggressive/reckless driving and impairment. Their goal is to save lives!
The Cops C.A.I.R. campaign focuses on three components -- intervention, cooperation and education (I.C.E). and outreaches with motivational and memorable experiences that educate our youth about traffic safety issues.
Contact: COPS C.A.I.R., Inc., 475-A Northridge St., Suite 20, Rincon, GA 31326, (912) 308-2566; www.copscair.org.
