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Ken Ucci and Bret Clifton advocate safe driving on "The Montel Williams Show."
Attitudes toward careless driving have changed in Tracy in the past 9½ months.
The Jan. 27 car accident that left 17-year-old Mike Ucci dead, Bret Clifton’s legs severed and Marie Ucci and Justin Baker severely injured was also an undeniable pronouncement of the dangers of reckless driving.
The accident not only awakened many local drivers to the realities of the road, but also caught the attention of the nation.
The chance to carry on the message of safe driving — and possibly spare a life — is what persuaded Clifton and Ken Ucci, Mike and Marie’s father, to take Montel Williams up on his invitation and share their story on Williams’ daytime talk show.
"They were impressed that we weren’t just verbalizing the situation, but we really are working toward safe teen driving," Ucci said.
Five months ago, Ucci teamed with Clifton to join a safe-driving campaign called Get Real behind the Wheel. The two speak at local schools and venues, such as the Altamont Motorsports Park, and have raised more than $30,000 to help spread their message.
Ucci and Clifton flew to New York City for Williams’ safe-driving special four weeks ago. Ucci and Clifton’s story took about 45 minutes of the hourlong special. Williams also talked to a woman whose son died after he flew from the top of a car while pulling a stunt.
"Montel really got in the face of parents," Ucci said. "We have to get over the fact that it will never happen to my son or daughter. That’s where I was. It’s a false security."
News articles about the accident, and Ucci’s and Clifton’s message through Get Real behind the Wheel, caught the attention of Kimberly Newman, the show’s associate producer.
"It’s such a devastation to see so many young kids in accidents these days," Newman said. "We wanted to hear how they began to work together and raise awareness. It’s remarkable in itself to forgive."
Williams asked Ucci how he’s able to sit next to Clifton, Mike’s lifelong friend who crashed into a traffic light pole.
"From day one, I had no animosity or anger toward Bret," Ucci said. "It was just a five-second lack of judgment. It could’ve easily been Mike that was driving that night."
He and Clifton want their message to snowball into a campaign that’s as well known as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
At a glance
WHAT: Montel Williams
WHEN: 2 p.m. Monday on CBS 13
INFO: www.cbs13.com or safeteendriver.org
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