STATE’S ATTORNEY MEETS WITH 300 SALISBURY UNIVERSITY STUDENT ATHLETES TO DISCUSS THE “REAL COSTS OF A DUI”

Salisbury, Maryland – On Sunday evening, December 2, 2012, State’s Attorney Matthew Maciarello met with approximately three hundred (300) freshman and transfer student athletes to discuss issues related to Driving While Impaired and Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI/DUI”).  Mr. Maciarello presented a program developed by the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office called “The Real Costs of a DUI.”  The program consists of a presentation that drives home the total costs of a DUI including loss of precious lives, paralysis and other bodily injury, costs of probation, attorney’s fees, MVA sanctions, insurance costs, and other opportunities lost, such as loss of employment, reputation and prestige. 

“Our office is trying to not only prevent the loss of life, physical injury to persons, and damage to property, but to also raise student awareness before they commit an act that is going to cost them beyond criminal sanctions and penalties. We are trying to get them to focus on all of the other costs associated with a DUI/DWI conviction. By our calculation, a DUI offender pays over $20,000 in court costs, probation costs, attorney’s fees, and increased insurance premiums, not to mention the potential loss of reputation and other economic costs. We are trying to reach them before they offend because we know that statistically the offense rate for their age rage is high. Also, we are aware that in 67% of all drunk driving fatalities, the driver was between 19-24 years of age.”

The video that the athletes viewed during the presentation can be found by visiting the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymiF-okrdMg.  It is a sports-related drinking and driving video.  Prior to watching the video the students were introduced to a young soccer player who participates in the SU sports camps in the summer.  The presentation is designed to connect the little soccer player in the video with a young soccer player in our community.  “Our young athletes look up to our Salisbury University athletes so we are appealing to their sense of responsibility to those children who are participating in SU youth sports programs.”

The presentation also contained up to date information from a local insurance company on insurance costs for a first time DUI offender.  According to a local insurance company, a DUI first time offender will spend over ten thousand dollars in premiums above and beyond what they would otherwise pay had they not committed a DUI/DWI offense.    The State’s Attorney also broke down costs of probation, attorney’s fees, and MVA sanctions to show the students what would a DUI/DWI would actually cost them monetarily.  Also discussed with the students was the  Maryland Judiciary Website and the fact that DUI/DWI offenses are a public record that employers access to determine if they are getting the best candidate for the job.  The State’s Attorney explained, “individuals have lost employment and other economic opportunities due to being convicted of a DUI/DWI offense.  In this competitive marketplace, athletes—very competitive people—may respond to being shown how they may be damaging their marketability by being convicted of a DUI/DWI .” 

The State’s Attorney also addressed other safety issues that were of concern to the student body, including date rape, abuse of prescription narcotics, and personal awareness when they are attending functions off of the Salisbury University campus.  “Three students were recently robbed at gunpoint off campus.  We want to make sure that we get the word out that they must have their guard up when they are walking off campus at night. Our intention is to create a sense of awareness on the part of the students so that we can keep our student population safe while they are studying at the university.” 

Mr. Maciarello stated, “It was an honor and a privilege to meet so many gifted and talented athletes who are also concerned about their role in our community. I am very grateful that Salisbury University’s athletes and coaches took time out to discuss these important matters of public safety.”

The State’s Attorney reminds all citizens that as the holidays approach, “please keep our roadways safe-Do not drink and drive.”