My son Reginald Evan Ray was tragically killed at just 15 years old. He lost his life in a car accident while he was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a fellow youth. It was only weeks after the devastating incident that we discovered the driver  had irresponsibly been supplied with a large quantity of alcohol that night, by an adult relative. The young driver was intoxicated, leading him to crash into a tree, striking the passenger side,  taking my son's life instantly. Among the three boys in that car, Reggie was the only one who did not survive.

This heartbreak is something no parent should have to endure and is only compounded by the realization that it was easily preventable.
It should be an unequivocal responsibility of adults in our society to protect minors, not endanger them by facilitating illegal underage drinking.
The tragic loss of Reggie implores us to seek justice and ensure no other family has to suffer this unimaginable pain through the recklessness of adults supplying alcohol to minors.

The current legal repercussions for adults contributing to such tragedies are grossly inadequate. While laws across the country can vary, adults found guilty of supplying alcohol to minors often face minimal fines or short incarceration, penalties that seem insignificant compared to the magnitude of loss they have contributed to. This is a grave injustice to the victims and their families and fails to deter future incidents.

We propose the establishment of stricter legal measures, with mandatory prison sentences and substantial fines for any adult convicted of providing alcohol to minors that leads to injury or death. This would act as a strong deterrent and emphasize the grave responsibility adults hold in ensuring the welfare and safety of our youth. It is time for the legal system to recognize and take serious action against these negligent acts that have the potential to claim innocent lives.

We urgently call on lawmakers to reevaluate existing statutes and implement more stringent penalties to reflect the severity of these crimes. Let’s honour Reggie's memory by taking decisive action to protect the lives of other minors and prevent similar heart-wrenching events in the future.

We further propose a responsible driver acknowledgement act upon turning 21. 

The idea would be that when a licensed driver turns 21, they sign a document acknowledging their legal responsibilities regarding minors and transportation.

Key provisions might include:

Awareness Statement: Drivers certify that they understand laws related to transporting minors, providing alcohol to minors, and allowing minors to engage in unsafe or illegal activities while in their vehicle.

Duty of Care: Drivers acknowledge a responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect minors in their vehicle from foreseeable harm.

Educational Component: The signing process includes a brief review of state laws concerning underage drinking, distracted driving, seatbelt requirements, and child passenger safety.

Record of Acknowledgment: The document is filed electronically with the driver’s license agency and renewed when the license is renewed.

No New Criminal Liability: The document itself does not create new crimes but serves as evidence that the driver was informed of their responsibilities.

Please sign this petition to demand lawmakers for immediate change in legislation regarding adult responsibility in cases of providing alcohol to minors. Together, we can work towards a safer and more accountable community.