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Nationwide Crackdown on Impaired
Drivers Begins for July 4th Holiday
Tens of thousands of officers from law enforcement
agencies in all 50 states will be out in force today through
July 13 conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols
to support the U.S. Department of Transportation’s You
Drink & Drive. You Lose. national campaign.
The campaign will consist of 17 consecutive
nights of unrelenting DWI enforcement, coupled with a national
advertising campaign that airs on the three summer weekends
that are traditionally the deadliest of the year.
According to AAA, 37.4 million people are
expected to be on the highways during this year’s 3-day Fourth
of July holiday weekend – the highest total for the July 4
holiday in nine years. NHTSA estimates that approximately
560 deaths will occur during this time period and that a majority
(55 percent) will involve impaired drivers.
"Providing for the safety of all
travelers is my highest priority," said Secretary Norman
Y. Mineta. "With
this campaign we are putting violators on notice that if they
drink and drive, they face the prospect of being caught, arrested,
and prosecuted."
A NHTSA analysis of impaired driving fatalities
over the July 4th holiday show an increase in fatalities
since 1998. In all of 2002, alcohol-related crashes
killed 17,970 people, the most fatalities in a decade.
"Impaired driving is at epidemic proportions,"
said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge,
M.D. "We must change society’s norms about what is acceptable.
"Losing the equivalent of a fully loaded airliner every
other day clearly is not acceptable."
For the first time, the You
Drink &
Drive. You Lose. crackdown is complemented by a national
advertising campaign that puts drivers on notice that if they
drink and drive, they will be caught and prosecuted.
Thirteen states have taken a leadership role
in reducing alcohol-related crashes. NHTSA is providing additional
advertising and promotional support to the following states
– Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas,
and West Virginia.
Studies from the NHTSA show that Americans
consider drunk driving an important social issue, ahead of
healthcare, poverty, the environment and gun control.
Nearly 97 percent of Americans view drinking and driving by
others as a threat to their families and themselves. In addition,
the majority of Americans support increased enforcement efforts
like sobriety checkpoints to protect innocent victims.
The You Drink & Drive. You Lose.
campaign reminds everyone:
- Don’t risk it -- If you plan to drive, don’t
drink or use any drugs.
- Choose a sober designated driver before celebrating.
- Take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a friend
to drive you home.
- Spend the night where the activity is being
held.
- Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
- Always wear your safety belt.
The You Drink & Drive. You Lose.
National Crackdown, launched in December 2002, is a comprehensive
effort focused on highly visible law enforcement and paid
advertising to deter impaired driving.
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