Remarks for Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, The Century Council – MADD Press Conference

Norman Y. Mineta, United States Secretary of Transportation
April 10, 2001

I want to thank Susan Molinari and The Century Council for inviting the Department of Transportation to participate in today's landmark announcement and kickoff of National Alcohol Awareness Month.

I’ve worked for Susan for a long time. It was a pleasure to serve with her in the Congress on the Committee on Public Works and Transportation in the House. Susan always brings enthusiasm and leadership skills to whatever job she is doing.

It’s also a pleasure to be here with Millie Webb, President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), whose dedication and passion for saving lives is an inspiration for all of us.

As most of you know, our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released preliminary estimates indicating that traffic fatalities increased slightly in 2000 to 41,800 from 41,611 in 1999.

The percentage of alcohol-related deaths in 2000 remained steady at 38%, but the actual number of deaths increased slightly -- from 15,786 in 1999 to 16,068 in 2000.

Alcohol-related crashes cost society $45 billion, yet this conservative estimate does not include pain, suffering and lost quality of life.

To end such human loss and suffering, we have set a national goal of reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities to no more than 11,000 by the year 2005.

These tragic statistics underscore the challenges facing this country in highway safety -- and the fact that we can never rest on past successes.

Federal, state and local governments must be vigorous in enforcing current transportation safety laws. We must also adopt new laws and regulations as our ever-changing society and transportation system demand such action.

Government and private industry should, in collaboration with groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), continuously educate the public about the life-and-death importance of transportation safety.

It is a pleasure to be here today to witness this kind of collaboration. It is very significant that the distilled spirits industry and MADD have found common ground for working together to save lives.

Congratulations! I look forward to seeing the number of alcohol-related crashes decrease as a result of this collaboration and other efforts in the coming year.

President Bush asked me to convey his best wishes in a message he will issue today in honor of National Alcohol Awareness Month:

I am honored to join my fellow Americans in observing National Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol-impaired driving takes a terrible toll in the United States. Last year, alcohol-related crashes on our streets and highways claimed the lives of more than 16,000 people, representing 38 percent of all estimated motor vehicle deaths.

Substantial progress has been made in reducing alcohol-related fatalities in recent years. Particularly, progress is being made in those States that have embraced the new .08 blood alcohol level. Through tough laws, strong enforcement, and public education, we can save lives and prevent the pain and suffering that affect not only the direct victims of drunk drivers, but also their loved ones and friends.

I commend Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Century Council for their firm stand against alcohol-impaired driving. I also applaud the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for working with industry and safety groups to combat drunk driving and reduce the costs it imposes on our society and economy. Your efforts contribute to public safety and help ensure the health and well-being of countless men, women, and children.

I encourage all Americans to avoid drinking and driving and to be cautious at all times when on the road. By doing so, people can best protect themselves from harm and possibly save the lives of many others in their towns, cities, and communities.

The agreement announced here today has potentially historic ramifications in the battle to eradicate alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

These groups -- MADD and the distilled spirits Industry -- are dedicated to the fight against drunk driving at the grass roots level.

They are out in our communities every day, providing resources and tools to educators, legislators, parents, teachers and law enforcement. Their goal: To keep drunk drivers off of our nation’s roads and highways.

By working together at the state level, MADD and The Century Council can even more effectively help save lives, particularly by honing in on the dangers of the repeat offender and supporting .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limits.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so this announcement really comes at an ideal time.

Let's work together to raise the level of awareness about how important it is to make the responsible decision about alcohol and driving -- it is very simple: DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.

On behalf of President Bush and the Department of Transportation, I commend the distilled spirits industry and MADD for reaching the two most important goals: Preventing Crashes and Saving Lives.

Before I end, I would like to make note of the fact that the distilled spirits industry is the first alcohol industry group to support the .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration law that the Congress passed last year.

As some of you know, more than 20 percent ofalcohol-related fatalities involve BAC levels below .10 percent. If every state adopted the national .08 BAC level, it is estimated they could each save about 500 lives a year.

Currently, 21 states, including the District of Columbia, have passed .08 laws. Today, Arizona is expected to become the 22nd state to make .08 BAC the law.

I look forward to seeing MADD and The Century Council working together and in partnership with DOT In the coming months and years.

Thank you.

Source:  U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Remarks delivered at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C.