National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Resource Guide, Sample Press Release

[DATE] — [CITY/STATE] — The December holidays are traditionally one of the deadliest times of the year on our nation's highways, and impaired driving is a big part of the problem. To help make this year safer, [LOCAL 3D PREVENTION COALITION] has joined with hundreds of other organizations around the country, representing millions of Americans, to declare December National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month and to call for stronger policies and programs to deter impaired driving, impaired motorcycle riding, and impaired walking. The theme of this year's campaign is "Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving," focusing on a Safe Communities approach. This emphasizes that every part of the community — businesses, citizen groups, health care providers, police agencies, schools, government, the military, etc. — has a role to play in the fight against impaired driving.

[QUOTE FROM 3D PREVENTION COALITION LEADER WITH LOCAL STATISTICS. 1996 NATIONAL DATA ARE AVAILABLE FROM YOUR NHTSA REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR, ON THE 3D PREVENTION COALITION WEB SITE AT http://www.3dmonth.org OR THE NHTSA WEB SITE AT [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov]

[LOCAL 3D PREVENTION COALITION] is joining with groups in every state for National Lights On For Life Day on Friday, December 19, when motorists are asked to drive with their headlights on all day to remind people about the impaired driving problem and in remembrance of those killed by impaired drivers.

[LOCAL POLICE FORCE] will also be part of the National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend, Friday, December 19 through Sunday, December 21, when police agencies across the nation will step up enforcement efforts against impaired drivers and motorcyclists, speeders, aggressive drivers, and others who make the roads especially dangerous at this time of year.

[INSERT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR 3D PREVENTION MONTH ACTIVITIES] The 1997 3D Prevention Month campaign, "Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving" urges states to adopt important anti-impaired driving laws. [STATE] needs to adopt the following [DELETE THOSE YOUR STATE HAS ALREADY ADOPTED]:

.08 BAC — which would set the state's legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the level recommended by most highway safety organizations and the U.S. Department of Transportation;
Administrative license revocation — which allows police officers to confiscate the driver's license of any driver who is found with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit or who refuses to take a blood alcohol level test;
Zero tolerance — which would make it illegal for those under the minimum drinking age of 21 to drive with any alcohol in their system ("use-and-lose" law);
Open container ban — which would make it illegal to operate a motor vehicle while in possession of an open container of alcohol; and
Graduated licensing — which would establish a phase-in of driving privileges for new, young drivers.

[ADD OTHER LEGISLATION YOU SUPPORT]

The campaign also wants partners in all communities to seek an active role in the impaired driving problem, and suggests programs such as:

Highly publicized sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols by law enforcement agencies;
Responsible server training and designated driver promotions at bars and restaurants;
Alternative ride programs on key holidays (New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, etc.);
Education on the dangers of walking while impaired and how drivers can recognize an impaired pedestrian;
Outreach to motorcycle operators on the effects of alcohol on riding skills;
Community programs to discourage underage drinking, such as alcohol-free graduation parties;
Self-sufficient DWI programs that pay for themselves;
Local school or community programs that include safety tips on safety belts, air bags, and the impaired driver in newsletters to parents and other members of the community; and
Including safety belt and air bag awareness messages and their importance to the impaired driver issue on Internet home pages.

For more information about local 3D prevention events, call [CONTACT NAME & PHONE].

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