LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 2014 as Youth Travel Safety Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which affect
the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2014 as Youth Travel
Safety Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 2006, Global Youth Travel Safety Month has called
attention to the fact that motor vehicle crashes are the number one
cause of death for young people worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Youth Travel Safety Month in the State of New York works to
ensure the young citizens of the Empire State do not fall victim to
these unfortunate statistics; and
WHEREAS, There are numerous factors which put young drivers at risk
for vehicular accidents; studies show that motorists in their first
months of driving are nearly twice as likely to experience crashes as
those with two or more years of experience; also, speeding and driving
with multiple passengers greatly increase risks for teenagers behind the
wheel; and
WHEREAS, One of the main causes of auto-related fatalities, distracted
driving, has become a major issue in recent years, with approximately 20
percent of crashes caused by a distracted driver; texting while driving
is a large part of this growing concern, with surveys showing that more
than 50 percent of high school students text "at least sometimes" while
driving; and
WHEREAS, Although drunk driving has decreased greatly amongst teens,
it is still one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes; one-
third of all teenage drivers killed in car crashes had a blood alcohol
content of .01 or higher; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to save young lives, Youth Travel Safety Month
in the State of New York encourages high school age men and women to pay
better attention while on the road, and to be more mindful of proper
traffic safety; initiatives are underway to decrease cell phone use and
texting while driving, while also increasing responsible driving habits;
and
WHEREAS, The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, a
national non-profit organization, has started the IKnowEverything
Campaign which uses social media to highlight the issues of drunk driv-
ing and distracted driving; the program educates young people and their
parents on critical topics and on best practices for road safety; and
WHEREAS, In addition, lawmakers are working hard to institute greater
safety courses and penalties for reckless driving; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this important issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, state and national levels to reduce the incidence of auto-related
fatalities for young people, so that teenagers and their families can be
spared such horrible tragedies; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2014 as Youth Trav-
el Safety Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.