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      July 2003 Crackdown

You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

National Crackdown
Sample Press Release

FIRST YOU DRINK & DRIVE. YOU LOSE. CRACKDOWN SINCE ALL 50 STATES AND DC PASSED .O8 BAC LAWS

Largest National Advertising Campaign to Highlight Law Enforcement Efforts

[Date][LAW ENFORCMENT AGENCY] announced today its plans to participate in the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. nationwide crackdown from August 27 to September 12, 2004. This is the first since all 50 States and the District of Columbia passed .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) laws for impaired driving. Uniform BAC laws strengthen the hand of law enforcement to arrest and prosecute dangerous drunk drivers to fullest extent of the law. Additionally, for the first time, the crackdown will take place during the Labor Day period to target the end-of-summer impaired driving problem.

“Our message is clear – You Drink & Drive. You Lose.” said [LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL]. “Depending on the State and community, there will be checkpoints, roving patrols and undercover officers out in force. So chances are if you drive impaired this Labor Day, you will get caught. Refuse a sobriety test and you can lose your license on the spot and have your car impounded. Don’t turn your holiday into a jail stay. ”

The You Drink & Drive. You Lose. Crackdown, which began in 1999, combines highly visible law enforcement with a $14 million national advertising campaign – the largest paid media buy in the crackdown’s history. Advertising during the crackdown highlights the law enforcement component that will be strictly enforcing drunk driving laws during the three-week crackdown period.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies show that nearly 97 percent of Americans view drinking and driving by others as a threat to their families and themselves. Indeed, Americans support tougher enforcement and rank drunk driving ahead of healthcare, poverty, the environment and gun control as an important social issue. The majority of Americans support increased enforcements efforts.

NHTSA estimates that 17,401 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2003. This represents 40% of the 43,220 people killed in all traffic crashes. Intoxication rates for motorcycle riders continue to be even higher than that of passenger cars or truck drivers. Police officers will therefore be making a special effort to apprehend impaired motorcyclists over the holiday weekend.

[LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL] reminds everyone:

• Be responsible and don’t risk it … you will be caught.
• If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out.
• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity is held.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
• Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

For more information about the crackdown or alcohol-related crash statistics, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org