“Buzzed driving is drunk driving.” Assistant District Attorney Gayle Dampf-Littman drove this point home at an assembly for seniors on February 27, 2008. In a multimedia presentation called “Choices and Consequences”, Gayle took us through a number of accidents that happened right here in Brooklyn. The scenes were horrifying. The tapes of the calls to 911 were horrifying.  But more horrifying is seeing pictures of the victims before they were killed in these accidents. The Assistant D.A. reminded us again and again, “It isn’t what happened to you; it’s what happened to them.”  If you cause an accident and kill someone while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving recklessly, or even if you’re talking on your cell phone, you will be prosecuted and will go to jail for 5 to 15 years.

 Six seniors came on stage and acted out an accident that happened here in Brooklyn. There were four people in the car, all drinking. They were having a good time until they crashed. One was killed. Officer Martinez came on stage and arrested Hector, the driver. He took us through the whole process from when the police arrive on the scene to when they throw the driver in the slammer. He gave Hector a breathalyzer test. (He passed.) Then he put some goggles on him that simulate your vision when drunk and made him walk the line. It looked like we were going to have to come up with bail for Hector.

We also heard from four people who actually caused an accident that resulted in a death. They were driving while intoxicated, driving recklessly, driving while talking on a cell phone. We heard from them what it is like to live knowing you killed someone. Gayle reminded the speaker and us, “It isn’t what happened to you; it’s what happened to them.” The victims had their life snatched away from them. One of the defendants was Clifford Smith, a.k.a. Method Man.

Gayle reminded us that if you’re in a car with a drunk driver or a reckless driver, you may be killed. Another major point of the program is “Make a Plan.” Don’t get in a car with a buzzed driver, a drunk driver, or a reckless driver. Take some money with you for transportation. Call somebody to pick you up. Have an excuse ready. It’s your life.