U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces New Education Campaign to Stop Drunk Driving |
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Topics: Rodney E. Slater
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NHTSA
December 1, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 58-99
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
Contact: NHTSA, Kathryn Henry, (202) 366-9550
Building on President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's commitment to reduce the tragic toll of preventable automobile crashes, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today unveiled a new public education campaign called "You Drink & Drive. You Lose."
The "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." campaign was created to help stop drunk driving and reach the national goal of reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities to no more than 11,000 per year by 2005. The campaign targets high-risk populations such as 21- to 34-year-olds, high blood alcohol concentration and repeat offenders, and underage drinkers between the ages of 16 and 20.
"The number of fatalities associated with impaired driving is declining - a result of efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation and our partners to improve safety, which is President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's highest transportation priority," Secretary Slater said. "We must continue working to save lives and prevent injuries from drunk driving, and this new public education campaign will help do that.
Last year, 15,935 people died as a result of impaired driving, and more than 300,000 were injured. Alcohol-related fatalities are at an all time low, but they still account for nearly 38 percent of all traffic-related deaths.
According to the department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose"campaign brings together various department efforts aimed at preventing impaired driving under one identity in a better coordinated and common sense approach. The campaign is more than just a public service advertising campaign.
By enhancing public awareness through partnerships and coalitions, coupled with highly active and visible law enforcement, "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" offers communities a framework to support current impaired driving and zero tolerance laws and prevention programs. Campaign partners include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives, the National Sheriff's Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and Operation C.A. R. E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort).
The campaign launch is a featured part of the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month kick-off media event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Additional information on "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." is available at NHTSA's web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov,and from the Office of Public and Consumer Affairs at 202-366-9550.
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