Rid Roads of Impaired Drivers

There are some things in this life that we thought we would never have to face. The death of our dear son Jason, being one of them. The tragic car accident that took the life of our son and his friend will haunt us for the rest of our lives. He has left a devastating hole in our hearts and a lingering pain that is almost impossible to bear. As we live each day the memories of Jason are constantly with us.

In his short life Jason did a lot of things that touched a lot of people. Common events like trips to the arena, golf games, hiking, yard work and a myriad of other activities furnish great memories but leave us with awful feelings of loss, grief, sadness and despair when we realize he is not here.

If it were not for the tremendous community support and the strength of our exceptional friends, we wouldn't have made it through this ordeal. In my heart, I know this to be true. In the hour of our deepest despair we felt lucky and honoured to have such dear friends. We would also like to thank Jason's friends for reaching out to help us in the time of our greatest need. Thanks to the RCMP for sending us such gracious and caring officers to help us deal with the reality of Jason's accident. We would like to thank the hockey communities of Nanaimo, Campbell River, Victoria and Powell River for the honors they have bestowed on Jason and we would like to thank the fans and friends who have made his Memorial Fund a reality. We will strive to find ways to make this fund an annual event available to the sporting community as a source to fill some need.

To all our friends and to all of the parents we don't know, we will pray to God that you will never have to stand where we stood on the morning of June 26, 2000. we pray that you will never feel those words as they echo through your being. We will never forget Jason and we will never forget Jamie, but there must be some meaning or purpose to our tragedy. In the past few weeks I have looked into too many young and tearful eyes. I wasn't strong in the time of your deepest grief and I probably didn't console you when you needed it most. Forgive me, at the time I was consumed by the tears of my own pain but I know what to do now.

To all my young friend's, players and students take this letter and discuss it with your Mom and Dad. Ask them about their fears and worries when you get behind the wheel of a car. The automobile can give you a lot of freedom. The car is a wonderful thing. It can take you to places where you can have a lot of fun. A vehicle is great for getting you to work, to the rink, bowling, shopping and yes, it can also get you to parties.

But the automobile is a stupid machine, it can't tell you when a worn tire is about to blow, or if the linkage is loose, or if the brakes are faulty, or if any of the other thousand parts are loose, weak or damaged. You need to be aware because any mechanical problem can be fatal to you or someone else. Even new cars can be stressed with high speeds or rough road conditions. Understand your car's mechanical condition but consider the nail on the road, or the pothole, or worse yet, what about the car and driver ahead of you or beside you? So you see, driving is always a serious venture and most of the variables are beyond your control, even when you are driving within the law and in great conditions.

Now, let's discuss some of the nightmares that I am aware of. They range from excessive speeds (accompanied by excessive fines) to expensive engine rebuilds meant to increase power and speed, pending some thrill you might be seeking. Boys! You're trusting your lives and the lives of your friends on a souped-up bucket of bolts. Vehicles must not be allowed to run your life. If you let them, they can limit your resources and ultimately affect your freedom.

Don't throw inordinate amounts of minimum wage dollars into engines that are meant to exceed our maximum speed limits. The car is only a vehicle and is meant to safely transport you from Point A to Point B. If Point B happens to be a party you need to be responsible and consider the consequences of drinking and driving. Of all the thousands of parts in your car you are the most important, if you are not the best you can be, don't drive, because the "stupid car" and everything else will be in dire jeopardy. It doesn't matter how much or what you consumed, there are alternatives with no risks involved. You are all old enough to understand this. You can't ask my dear friend Jamie or my beloved son Jason, but you can ask me. I will be here for you. Anytime!

- Greg and Linda Gow, Nanaimo, B.C.