SafeFund

In Georgia between 1996 and 2003, 34, 494 young children (ages 5-9) and 40,509 middle school children (ages 10-14) were injured in impaired motor vehicle crashes.

• In 2003 alone, the number of injured children age 5-9 would fill 133 classrooms.
• For middle school children age 10-14 the number is even greater at 164 classrooms.
• From 1996 to 2003, 1,300 pedestrians died in impaired motor vehicle crashes in Georgia. Nearly 14 percent were children.
• Between 1996 and 2003, 250 young children were killed in crashes, which would empty 8 classrooms. The loss of children between the ages of 10-14 would result in almost 10 empty classrooms.

(Statistics featured above were retrieved from the Georgia Department of Transportation website)

Some of the most tragic of all circumstances surrounding impaired driving are the children left behind when one or both parents have been killed or disabled in impaired driving crashes. Often children are directly involved in a crash and can be left permanently disabled. None of us are able to prepare ourselves when injury or sudden death occurs, least of all the children. These tragedies can leave families a heavy burden of financial devastation. Funeral costs, medical expenses, the cost of every day living can quickly mount and become overwhelming. A child's education can easily become a burden for many families affected by impaired driving tragedies. A disabled child can completely alter families' lifestyles.  

As we are all aware, education is one of the primary solutions to fighting the impaired driving problem. Without a parent or parents, many children will be unable to attend school beyond the twelfth grade. These students may never realize their full potential as an adult. Lack of education can bring about poverty, crime and drug/alcohol abuse in adulthood. Social problems can arise and affect our neighborhoods and streets.  

Planning for a disabled child is very different than planning for disabled adults. These families and children will need a lot of help. Medical related requirements such as wheelchairs, transportation and long term care can be impossible for many families to arrange due to the financial burden brought on by an impaired driving accident.  

SafeFund has been established to help these children and families cope with the burden they have been left to carry. SafeFund will provide educational and medical assistance to children caught up in needless impaired driving tragedies. SafeFund will provide assistance for purchasing many needed items such as wheelchairs, bedding, medication, nursing care, higher educational tuition and books, meal plans and shelter.