Crozer-Keystone Focus Attention on the Danger of Driving Under the Influence

Marcin Jankowski, D.O., medical director of the

 Trauma Program at Crozer-Chester 

Medical Center, City of Chester Mayor John Linder, 

 press safety officer Brad Rudolph, 

and police and security representing Pennsylvania 

State Police, Upland Borough, City of 

Chester and Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

November 21, 2014 (Upland, Pa) – Crozer-Keystone Health System, together with the Delaware County Transportation Management Association (DCTMA) and PennDOT, held a press conference at Crozer-Chester Medical Center’s Emergency Department to focus attention on the dangers of driving under the influence. This message is especially timely as the festive season around the holidays approaches. A consistent message of recommending public transportation or a designated driver when alcohol is involved, along with the fact that significant resources are available for those seeking help with dependency, was shared by Delaware County leaders.  

Presenting at the press conference were Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan; City of Chester Mayor John Linder; Press safety officer Brad Rudolph of PennDOT; Press Information Manager Andrew Busch of SEPTA; Marcin Jankowski, D.O., medical director of Trauma Program at Crozer-Chester Medical Center; and Patrick Gavin, chief operating officer of Crozer-Keystone and president of Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Others in attendance at the event included Upland Mayor Michael Ciach; Chester City Councilman Nafis Nichols; Delaware County Department of Human Services Director Joseph Dougherty; Chester Police Chief Joseph Bail, Jr.; Upland Police Chief Nelson Ocasio; Executive Director Cecile Charlton of the DCTMA; and representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police. Through this collective show of concern and attention to this issue, the parties hoped to bring an increase of awareness for the Delaware County and regional communities.

The DCTMA is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the transportation network serving Delaware County. This past summer, it launched “I SEPTA Media” to promote public transportation as an easy, inexpensive and safe option. On Nov. 26 for the day before Thanksgiving, DCTMA staff will hand out coasters to select bars in Media to encourage bar owners to support this campaign of public transportation. Cecile Charlton, executive director of the DCTMA, comments, “The ‘I SEPTA Media’ campaign is fun and it resonates with our members and the local community, as everyone understands the dangers of driving under the influence. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Crozer-Keystone, PennDOT, SEPTA, police departments, and the local elected officials to emphasize the importance of safe driving.”

Patrick Gavin, chief operating officer for Crozer-Keystone and president of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, stated the purpose for the press conference by commenting, “While Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many of us, the night before Thanksgiving is particularly dangerous on the roadways. To bring public attention to this issue, we have assembled a group of esteemed colleagues today to speak about the dangers of driving under the influence, or DUI.”

Brad Rudolph, safety press officer at PennDOT, commented, “The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time spent with family and friends. Don’t let them end in tragedy with a crash that could have been prevented. You don’t want one of these officers or troopers knocking on your door or a family members’ door with news that a loved one has been killed in a crash. Each year, PennDOT, state and local police and our regional safety partners team up to launch and support the ‘Operation Safe Holiday’ campaign to encourage safe driving from Thanksgiving through the New Year’s holiday. For more information on this campaign and impaired driving awareness, visit www.justdrivepa.com.” 

Andrew Busch, press information manager for SEPTA, commented, “SEPTA is the safe, easy and inexpensive option for holiday party travel, and we want to be your designated driver this holiday season. In Delaware County, we’re proud to partner with the DCTMA to help get the word out about SEPTA services as part of the I-SEPTA-Media campaign. Frequent service is available on the 101 and 102 trolleys and a number of bus routes provide service to popular night spots throughout the County. For residents and visitors in Delaware County and throughout the Philadelphia region, visit SEPTA’s website, www.septa.org, for full schedule information on all of our modes of travel.”

Marcin Jankowski, D.O., medical director of the Trauma Program at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, commented, “Our Level II Trauma Center unfortunately sees too many preventable incidents as a result of a DUI throughout the year. With the help of our EMS professionals and our team in the Emergency Department we are able to coordinate care. However, it is our hope that through increased education and public awareness that DUI’s in our community can be reduced.” He concluded his remarks by commenting, “Have a safe and happy holiday season.”

Crozer-Keystone has created a special section on their website dedicated to providing support services related to the dangers of driving under the influence. Go to www.crozerkeystone.org/delcosupport for more information.