As prom nights, graduation ceremonies, and summer celebrations get underway across Rockland County, District Attorney Tom Walsh is urging students and families to prioritize safety and avoid the dangers of underage drinking.

In an op-ed released Wednesday, Walsh noted that while this time of year marks an exciting milestone for high school and college students, poor decisions involving alcohol can quickly turn celebrations into tragedies.

“Prom and graduation celebrations should be remembered for the fun, the friendships, and the milestones they represent,” Walsh wrote. “By working collectively to make responsible choices, we can ensure that this prom and graduation season is remembered for all the right reasons.”

Walsh highlighted the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days,” when teen-related traffic fatalities typically increase due to more travel, social gatherings, and celebratory events.

According to statistics cited by the District Attorney, approximately 37 people die every day in the United States in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, with more than 13,000 lives lost annually. For teenagers, motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death, with alcohol playing a significant role in many fatal incidents.

The District Attorney stressed that underage drinking is not a harmless rite of passage, warning that it can lead to devastating consequences including car crashes, alcohol poisoning, drownings, suicides, homicides, and other preventable tragedies.

Walsh also called on parents, friends, and community members to play an active role in keeping students safe by discussing the dangers of alcohol, planning safe transportation, and speaking up when someone is about to make a dangerous decision.

“My Office has seen firsthand how a single poor decision of impaired driving can alter the course of multiple lives,” Walsh wrote. “Passengers, pedestrians, families, friends, and entire communities can suffer the devastating effects of a crash for years to come.”

He concluded with a message to students and families as graduation season continues across Rockland County: “Celebrate responsibly. Don’t drink and drive. Save your friends, save your family, save yourself.”