AAA Texas Honors Sam Houston State University for Efforts to Curb Drinking and Driving

HUNTSVILLE, Texas--Sept. 30, 2005--AAA Texas today awarded Sam Houston State University a $1,000 prize for developing programs that help educate students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The College and University Drinking & Driving Prevention Award, which is given jointly by the AAA Texas and the Center for College Health and Safety, was presented by Rose Rougeau of AAA Texas.

"Rates of drinking and driving are at levels that raise great concern," Rougeau said. "A 2005 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates drinking by U.S. college students contributes to 1,700 deaths and half a million injuries annually. In addition, each year 2.8 million college students drive under the influence of alcohol."

Sam Houston State University hosted a Save A Life Tour! Drunk Driving Simulator, which is a state-of-the-art, interactive device allowing people to experience how alcohol affects driving skills. The university developed a campaign entitled "Seize the Keys" with a slogan "Carpe Key-em." Students and staff also worked with the Recreational Sports department and a newly-formed Alcohol Abuse Initiative Committee to host National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.

"Overall, Sam Houston State University has created an excellent program to educate students about the problems of alcohol abuse and drinking and driving," Rougeau said.

To address problems associated with drinking among college students, the College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Award was developed eight years ago by AAA Texas and the Center for College Health and Safety. The award recognizes campus programs and activities that reduce drinking and driving or prevent alcohol and other drug use that can result in impaired driving.

The Center for College Health and Safety assists colleges and universities in developing, implementing and evaluating prevention policies and programs to address health and safety issues.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' web site at www.aaa.com.