School is out in McLean and across Virginia. For many high school students, that means it’s time to hit the road in vehicles packed with friends in search of adventure. Unfortunately, that combination of factors too often leads to motor vehicle crashes and injuries – sometimes even fatalities.

More than 120 teens from 37 high schools and middle schools across Virginia arrived at the beginning of this week for educational and hands-on activities to help them learn not only safe driving practices, but also the importance to them, their friends and to everyone they share the road with of making responsible driving decisions.

The Road To Zero winds through McLean and every corner of Virginia. It extends north to Maine, south to Florida, north to Minnesota and west to California – and every place in between. The Road To Zero Coalition is a group of transportation industry leaders who have joined the National Safety Council in its effort to reduce traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities. The group’s uber-ambitious goal is to get motor vehicle fatalities all the way down to zero by 2050.

National Safety Council CEO Deborah Hersman invokes the memory of President Kennedy and his remarkable early 1960s challenge to land on the moon by the end of the decade. At the time, the lofty goal was considered by most people impossible. But by 1969, it was a reality.

McLean residents are understandably proud of the thousands and thousands of fine students attending the colleges and universities in the McLean area. It is undoubtedly accurate to say we are just as proud of the area high school students who will one day soon be studying at those seats of higher learning.

At this time of year, however, even the best and brightest students need to be reminded of the dangers of drinking and driving on graduation days and prom nights. Each year, there are far too many college students and high school kids who lose their lives or are badly injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by impaired drivers.

Signed into law in December, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will have impacts on nearly everyone in McLean, depending on income and other factors. One group of people that will feel its impact more profoundly than most others: those who get divorced next year.

Starting on New Year's Day of 2019, the tax implications for alimony (also known as spousal maintenance) are going to undergo a major transformation. Beginning that day, alimony will no longer be deductible for the payer.