U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Commends Largest-Ever Enforcement Mobilization to Combat Impaired Driving

U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Commends Largest-Ever Enforcement Mobilization to Combat Impaired Driving

Topics: Rodney E. Slater

U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Commends Largest-Ever Enforcement Mobilization to Combat Impaired Driving

NHTSA
December 14, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 57-00
Thursday, December 14, 2000
Contact: NHTSA, Kathryn Henry, (202) 366-9550

National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend

U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today commended the launching of the largest-ever mobilization to combat drug- and alcohol-impaired driving.

During the weekend of Dec. 15-17, thousands of law enforcement officers will conduct hundreds of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in all 50 states to remove impaired drivers from the nation's roadways.

"Impaired driving is no accident. It's an American tragedy that accounts for more than one-third of all traffic fatalities," Secretary Slater said. "Impaired driving threatens public safety, which is President Clinton and Vice President Gore's highest transportation priority, and I commend the thousands of law enforcement officers who will be out in full-force this weekend to stop impaired drivers from killing innocent victims."

Joining Secretary Slater at a news conference launching the mobilization were Jim Hall, Acting Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); John Moulden, President of the National Commission Against Drunk Driving; Bruce Glasscock, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; Millie I. Webb, National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); and Dr. Sue Bailey, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The mobilization is part of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend, and the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign.

"All of us are at risk of being killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash by hard core drinker drivers - those who drive with a high BAC or who are repeat offenders," Chairman Hall said. "In 1998, hard core drinking drivers were involved in 40 percent (over 6,300) of the alcohol-related fatalities. The violence caused by these hard core drinking drivers must stop."

Although alcohol-related fatalities have dropped significantly in recent years, they still account for 38 percent of all crash fatalities. Last year, nearly 16,000 people died and more than 305,000 were injured in alcohol-related crashes.

"We want to protect American families, especially during this holiday season, by getting impaired drivers off our nation's highways," NHTSA Administrator Dr. Sue Bailey said. "These deaths and injuries are senseless and that's why we can't say it enough - if you drink and drive, you lose."

The You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is endorsed by national organizations such as the National 3D Prevention Month Coalition, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs' Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Operation C.A. R. E., National Commission Against Drunk Driving, the National Association of Governors' Highway Traffic Safety Representatives and the National Association of Broadcasters.

Twice a year, in July and December, campaign partners participate in national enforcement mobilizations aimed at deterring impaired driving and arresting drunk drivers. For more information on the National 3D prevention Month Coalition, National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend and the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign, visit NHTSA's website at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ .

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