May 21, 2008

Legislator Mangano and Legislature Proclaim
"Safe Teen Driving Month"

Nassau County Legislator Edward Mangano joined his legislative colleagues in urging the County’s teenaged drivers to make a commitment to driving safely and responsibly. Teenagers in high schools throughout Nassau County were also asked to sign the Community Parent Center’s “Driving in the Safe Lane Pledge” which includes among other safety precautions the teen’s promise to wear a seatbelt, limit the number of passengers in the car, obeying the speed limit and not using a cell phone while driving. To further emphasize the importance of driving safely, the Nassau County Legislature, with one voice, declared the month of May as “Safe Teen Driving Month.”

This initiative is undertaken by the Legislators as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers” are approaching. Including Memorial Day, May is the time for proms, graduation parties and the onset of summer vacation. Unfortunately, it is also the time when tragedy strikes and families are forced to cope with the death of a teenager in a car accident.

Legislator Mangano said, “As a public servant and as someone who has personally experienced a tragic loss, I urge all who play a role in our teenagers’ lives: parents, educators, law enforcement, community and elected officials, to do all we can to keep our teenagers safe at all times and especially during prom season, graduations and summer vacations.  An open line of communication with our teens can give them the confidence to say no when faced with the difficult decision of whether to get into a car or not.  Together we can save precious lives.’”

Wendy Tepfer, the director of Community Parent Center, said, “We applaud the Nassau County Legislature for taking this action today in its effort to increase public and teen awareness of the dangers of unsafe driving. We ask teens, parents and schools to take proactive measures to ensure smarter and safer driving practices as we move into the 100 deadliest days—the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day—when teen driving crashes and fatalities increase. Teens should sign the Driving in the Safe lane Pledge which states they will abide by ten safe driving practices to promote responsible driving.”

Pictured is Legislator Mangano addressing the audience surrounded by colleagues Legislators Judi Bosworth, Judy Jacobs, Norma Gonsalves, Dave Denenberg, Diane Yatauro, Denise Ford and Francis X. Becker, Jr.  Also present: L to R, Candice Stark; Wendy Tepfer, Director of the Community Parent Center in North Merrick; Pat Reilly, Director of the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency; Deputy County Executive of Public Safety Frank Ryan; Allstate Agents Robert Zabbia and Robert Kanestrin; Inez Birbiglia, Chairman of the Allstate Foundation; Police Officer Gilberti; Chris Mistron of the Nassau County Traffic Safety Bureau; NC PD Patrol Chief William McHale and Dr. Lucy Weinstein of the Nassau Pediatrics Society.