National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month --
December 1994
Persons who drive while impaired by alcohol or other drugs are
a public health hazard to themselves and to others. Each year,
alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes result in approximately
17,500 deaths in the United States. In addition, impaired driving
is a leading cause of death among persons aged less than 25 years.
The injuries, disabilities, and deaths associated with
impaired driving are preventable. Accordingly, December has been
designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month by
the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Coalition,
a nationwide public/private sector coalition for the prevention of
crashes related to impaired driving. The theme of the campaign is
"Take a Stand! Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk." On December
16, "Lights on for Life," a 1-day nationwide observance, will be
held. On that day, drivers will be asked to drive with their
headlights on even in daylight hours in remembrance of persons
killed and injured in alcohol-related crashes and to remind persons
not to drink and drive. In addition, during the holiday season,
law-enforcement activities nationwide will especially target
impaired drivers. These activities are integral to the objective of
the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Safe & Sober" campaign to
decrease alcohol-related fatalities to 43% of total fatalities and
increase safety-belt use to 75% by 1996.
Additional information about National Drunk and Drugged
Driving Prevention Month is available from Tarry Hess, Office of
Alcohol and State Programs (NTS-22), National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590;
telephone (202) 366-6976.
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