States’ Progress Drops Drunk Driving Deaths To Lowest Level Since 1999

Nationwide Crackdown on Impaired Drivers Begins Aug. 27

Alcohol-related fatalities declined significantly in 2003, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced today.  The decline was led by impaired driving reductions in 28 states, and is the first drop in the level since 1999.

"Tougher impaired driving laws, and the enforcement of those laws by tens of thousands of dedicated police officers across the country, are saving hundreds of lives nationwide, said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D.

Moreover, NHTSA said that alcohol-related fatalities dropped in 12 of 13 states that participated in an intense, multi-faceted NHTSA-funded campaign to reduce their severe impaired driving problems.

A total of 17,013 alcohol-related fatalities were recorded in 2003, down by 511, or almost 3 percent, from the total of 17,524 recorded in 2002. The greatest reduction in fatalities was among those in crashes where the highest blood-alcohol content (BAC) was .08 and above.

The decline comes as all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have enacted laws making a BAC of .08 the legal definition of impaired driving.

Twelve of the 28 states that had decreases in alcohol-related fatalities were Strategic Evaluation States (SES), accounting for 75 percent of the total reduction in alcohol-related fatalities.  The dozen states were Arizona, Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and West Virginia.

DRUNK DRIVING DEATHS

The SES states, supported by funding from NHTSA, have taken a leadership role in reducing impaired driving that includes sustained enforcement, periodic enforcement crackdowns, and paid media advertising funded by Congress. (See attached chart for complete 2003 state alcohol-related fatalities and SES states.)

The 2003 Alcohol-Related Fatalities announcement comes as more than 9,000 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico mobilize for the end of summer/Labor Day "You Drink & Drive. You Lose. crackdown  against drunk and drugged driving.

The crackdown consists of 16 days and three consecutive weekends of high visibility enforcement with more than $14 million in national and state advertising to stop impaired driving.

"While we made progress in 2003, losing 17,000 people a year in alcohol-related crashes is unacceptable, said Dr. Runge. "For those who choose to drive impaired, the bottom line is, police are looking for you, and those caught will face severe consequences.

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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