Keeping Everyone You Know Safe
By Graham King
Once in a while, a good thing can happen as the result of something terrible. On April 18, 2002, a tragic incident happened in Dane County, Wisconsin. Aimee Stamm-Kubler was jogging near her home when she was struck by a vehicle and killed. The driver fled the scene and went to wash his vehicle. It was later determined that he was impaired by alcohol, and he was convicted and sent to prison. The good thing is that the direct result of that tragic incident is the KEYS program.
KEYS (Keeping Everyone You Know Safe) is an anti-impaired driving program based in Dane County. The concept is a two-step theme to help everyone fight impaired driving. The idea of keeping everyone safe starts with being a sober driver. A positive second step is to pass on the message to someone else.
KEYS is making that easier by selling a package of two glow-in-the-dark keys for three dollars. A person places one of the keys on their key ring as a reminder to be a sober, responsible driver, and the second key can be given to a son, daughter, spouse, or someone else you care about. When you give the key to someone, it is a reminder to not drive when they have had too much to drink, and also a reminder to not be a passenger in the car of an impaired driver.
KEYS is working with several high schools, and 12,000 keys were purchased by the Department of Public Instruction to help spread the message. Both the Madison Professional Police Officers Association and Fire Fighters Local 311 have purchased a package of keys for each of their members.
Officers visiting schools to talk about impaired driving may contact KEYS for packages to give to students. In addition, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office is currently working with KEYS to produce a video to use in schools.
Law enforcement officers have another tool at their disposal in an attempt to keep everyone you (we) know safe. That all-important tool is enforcement. Law enforcement officers experience firsthand the consequences of individuals making the choice to drive impaired.
Thank you for doing your part to end impaired driving to save lives. Please visit the KEYS website at www.k-e-y-s.com or contact KEYS at info@k-e-y-s.com.
Graham King retired from the Madison Police Department in January 2003 after 29 years of service. He was a Traffic Specialist working with hit and run and fatal accidents the last three years with the Department. You may write to him at graham970@msn.com.
