Dear Highway Safety Partner:

It has been 16 years since the first proclamation to focus a designated week on drunk and drugged driving was signed. Since then, the week has expanded to a month filled with a variety of state and national activities, all with a single emphasis – saving lives by eliminating impaired driving. By issuing an annual proclamation, President Clinton has continued support of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month efforts. This year, the President has strengthened his commitment to reducing impaired driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities by supporting national .08 legislation.

In spite of these national efforts, reducing impaired driving continues to be a challenge. Last year alone, approximately 17,000 Americans lost their lives due to impaired driving-related crashes. Although we have made progress toward reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities and getting impaired drivers off the road, more needs to be done as our gains have started to level off. We need bold and innovative action as we strive to meet our goal of no more than 11,000 alcohol-related fatalities by 2005, only 7 years from now.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National 3D Prevention Month Coalition have continued with last year’s successful theme of Putting Together the Pieces of Safe Communities to Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving. Many of our partners commented that this focus allowed them to develop new partnerships and work with groups that can truly have an impact on reducing impaired driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities. By continuing along this path, we can expand those partnerships and perhaps start new ones.

This planner targets three critical groups: the underage drinker, the 21- to 34-year-old age group (the largest part of the impaired driving problem), and the repeat offender. Partnerships can use the tools presented in this planner to tackle the issues that most affect their community. Because no two communities are exactly the same, flexibility is needed to assemble the pieces that will make successful Safe Communities.

During the holiday season and throughout the year, I urge you to become involved in this effort by mobilizing your community to reduce impaired driving. If we work together, preventing injury and death due to impaired driving can become a reality. I challenge you to make a difference – to save a life. I challenge you to Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving.

Thank you for joining us.

Sincerely,