Mother's teen driving story to highlight traffic safety event

Marianne Angelillo, who speaks regularly about teen drivers and risky behaviors, will make the feature presentation for “Drive Safe, Live Safe,” a multifaceted evening of safety education hosted by University Police at SUNY Oswego at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in Marano Campus Center arena.

Angelillo wrote “Sharing My Stones” in the aftermath of her son Matthew’s 2004 death as a passenger in a vehicle driven by a friend who had been drinking. She also spoke last March at this event, sponsored by a grant from the state Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee through the National Highway Safety Administration.

Police, prosecutors and state and local traffic safety experts will be on hand, along with a mini-obstacle course and several driving simulators: Drop It and Drive (texting and other driver inattention), The Convincer (accidents and seat belt use) and Fatal Vision goggles (alcohol impairment).

Among agencies represented at the event will be University Police, State Police, Oswego City Police, plus the Oswego County Traffic Safety Board, STOP DWI, District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department. Other presenters include ABATE motorcycle safety and education, County of Oswego Coalition on Alcohol and Other Addictions, Farnham Family Services and the Care Network at SUNY Oswego.

Those attending “Drive Safe, Live Safe” may park in the employee lot in front of Culkin Hall or in the employee and commuter lots behind Hart and Funnelle residence halls. The approach to the lots is off the main entrance to SUNY Oswego on State Route 104 west of the city.