Dutchess County Remove Intoxicated Drivers: Keeping Victim’s Memories Alive
17,000 people lose their lives to drunk driving every year, according to the New York State Police. That equates to “310 funerals each week” and countless lives forever changed by loss of their loved ones. Dutchess County Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID) is a program dedicated to remembering the lives lost, as well as supporting the families affected.
RID’s mission statement is “to deter drunken driving, the binge drinking that proceeds it, and to help victims regain hope and justice in their lives.” They focus on providing support to victims and their families, as well as educating the public about the impacts of alcohol and the dangers of drunk driving.
The Dutchess County Chapter of RID was founded in November of 1981 by Jo Johnson. Johnson, a wife and mother, sustained head injuries from an accident caused by an impaired driver that permanently handicapped her. Despite this, she worked tirelessly for the next 30 years until her death in 2011.
Johnson is responsible for many of Dutchess County RID’s accomplishments. After garnering over 10,000 signatures, she successfully petitioned the New York State Government to lower the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) from .1 to .08. She was a fierce advocate for victims and their families, even going as far as accompanying victims to court.
In 1983, Johnson organized the first annual Memorial Ceremony for all the Dutchess County Victims of DWI. Held at the Dutchess County Office Building, the service consists of reading out all the names of the victims and releasing balloons in their honor.
The timing of this memorial was chosen carefully. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as “‘The 100 Deadliest Days’ for teen drivers,” with the Fourth of July being the most dangerous according to BACTrack. The memorial stands to serve as a reminder to make smart decisions during that dangerous time.
Johnson spoke at many Impaired Driving Presentations in an effort to deter high schoolers from drinking and driving. She also spoke at Victim Impact Panels, where victims gather to talk to students or people who have been convicted of impaired driving to help them understand the consequences of their actions. Current RID President, Marcia Rosenfeld, describes these events as “very powerful” and thinks they are a useful tool in cautioning people from drunk driving.
Rosenfeld described Jo as “a strong woman,” and that “her convictions were to help other people.” Rosenfeld continues the legacy that Johnson began back in 1981. The organization started offering the Jo Johnson Memorial Scholarship contest. The scholarship, worth $500, is given to the student with the best entry, either print, artwork, or voice, that promotes RID’s message: Don’t Drink and Drive.
They also began hosting a second memorial service, a candlelight vigil held at the Living Safety Tree Memorial on Route 44. This tree memorial, also put together by RID, serves as a reminder of the impact of impaired driving. It features “red reflectors that represent the victims,” according to Board Member Rich Silva.
RID maintains a plaque in the Dutchess County Office Building, as yet another reminder of the damage impaired driving can do. They contact the family of every victim in Dutchess County to ask if they would like their loved one memorialized on the plaque.
The organization has taken a hit from COVID-19, and has not been active. However, they hope to return this year with their candlelight vigil in November.
