Introductory Letter

Call To Action

Table of Contents

Program Brochure

Resource Guide

Media Kit

Media Tools

Fact Sheets

Mobilization Hand-Out

Logo Slicks

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

[YOUR LETTERHEAD] [DATE]

Dear Editor:

Residents of [STATE/COMMUNITY] who choose to drink and drive during this holiday season will find their celebration cut short, as [NAME OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] mobilizes to take impaired drivers off the road and warn others: You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

This holiday season, [NAME OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] will join law enforcement agencies nationwide in taking a major step in intensifying the fight against impaired driving by launching the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. public education campaign.

Between December 17th and December 19th , [NAME OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] will be out in full force to stop impaired drivers. Authorities will set up sobriety checkpoints and conduct saturation patrols and sting operations aimed at preventing the sale of alcohol to minors. Violators will be subject to immediate arrest.

Alcohol remains a contributing factor to fatal motor vehicle crashes. Three out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash. Every 33 minutes there is a fatality and every two minutes an injury due to an alcohol-related crash. While the statistics are staggering, they fail to fully tell the tragic stories of the thousands of families who bear the daily consequences of this crime.

[INSERT LOCAL RELEVANT CRASH STORY]

Lack of public outrage and confusion over what constitutes impaired driving has contributed to the existing gap between public perception and reality. Enforcement periods, like the December holiday effort, reflect law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to eliminating impaired driving, with efforts continuing year-round.

By partnering with national partners like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other traffic safety organizations, [NAME OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] hopes to save lives in [STATE/COMMUNITY] and help reach the national goal of reducing alcohol-related deaths to no more than 11,000 by the year 2005.

Every reader can help do their part by making a simple choice: if they are going to drink, they shouldn’t drive. They should plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver or take a cab. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the deadly consequences of not making the right choice. That’s why [NAME OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] is encouraging area media to take part in the enforcement period to help us promote our lifesaving message and prevent impaired driving.

This holiday season, if individuals choose to drink and drive, they will lose. They may lose their license, their vehicle or even perhaps their life, or worse — kill an innocent victim.

For more information on how your organization can make a difference and save lives, please contact [INSERT LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION.] Thank you.

Sincerely,
[LOCAL SPOKESPERSON, TITLE]
[NAME OF SPONSORING AGENCY]