Press Releases

Urging teens to wear seatbelts

July 6, 2007

To the Editor:

I have read with horror of northern New Jersey teens killed in separate auto accidents within 72 hours ("Cops:DWI crash kills another teen," Page A-1, July 6; "Youth dies, several hurt in Fort Lee car crash," Page-A-1, July 4.)

Promising young people who went into the Independence Day holiday enjoying their first summers of relative independence now have no more to look forward to, and those who cared for them are left grieving.

Although summer is a carefree time, and we are tempted to let our children roam a bit freer-and we should-it's also a good time to remind them of the importance of making safe decisions. At the very least, I implore parents to clip the stories about the young men who died this week and read them together with their teens. If doing so helps one more teen remember to wear a seat belt or discourage a friend from driving drunk, then it's worth it.

Andrea Wasser-Malmud
NewBridge Services, Inc.

About NewBridge Services
Founded in 1963, NewBridge Services, Inc. is a nonprofit community organization providing innovative programs and education services in five focus areas: mental health, substance abuse, housing, youth programs and senior assistance. Whether guiding people as they cope with stress, grief, or substance abuse, or providing advice to those with parenting, relationship or caregiving challenges, NewBridge helps people bring balance to their lives. For more information call 973-839-2520 or click here.