Impaired driving is a major national problem. But more importantly, it is a community problem where the tragic effects are seen on a daily basis. Communities pay both the human and economic toll of the impaired driving problem and therefore should take the lead in solving the problem.

Safe Communities programs are ideally suited to participate in 3D Prevention Month activities as well as on-going efforts to prevent impaired driving at the community level. Safe Communities programs reflect the make up of the community that they serve. Ideally, Safe Communities coalitions include representation by every sector of the community, including the citizens who live there as well as businesses, hospitals, public health professionals, traffic engineers, public safety professionals, prosecutors and judges, religious leaders, educational leaders, civic groups and many others. They want to do their part to create a safe community for everyone. Consider the following ideas as you begin planning 3D Prevention Month and year-round events.

Ideas for (3D) Prevention Month Activities

Take the lead in a community-wide public information effort about the impaired driving problem, especially around the holidays. Include information about existing state impaired driving laws (i.e., zero tolerance and .08) or the need to enact these laws. Coordinate with all segments of the community and the media to conduct public information activities throughout the month.

Conduct a press conference that includes community leaders, law enforcement officers, traffic engineers, firefighters, school officials, hospital administrators, legislators, doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians about the impaired driving problem and the need for strong legislation, active enforcement, and constant public information. Use the theme Crashes Aren’t Accidents; They Are Predictable and Preventable.

Hang a banner in a prominent area of the community announcing 3D Prevention Month with a reminder for people to not drive impaired.

Develop or participate in a speakers bureau consisting of victims, public health professionals, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement professionals, and emergency physicians and nurses to speak at school assemblies, businesses, and community meetings to explain the human and economic toll of the impaired driving problem.

Year-Round Activities

Review data files to determine the impaired driving problem in your community related to motor vehicle crashes. Collaborate with other segments of the community (emergency department, law enforcement, EMS, and others) to develop a profile of these individuals; determine costs to the public, insurers, and others and identify the various outcomes these patients have. Share this information with others in the community. use it to start or enhance an on-going impaired driving prevention program within your Safe Communities program.

Actively support the enactment and enforcement of impaired driving legislation including .08 per se and zero tolerance. Collaborate with others such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID), and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) in support of these issues.

Publicize the existence, meaning, and importance of impaired driving laws to colleagues, partners, and the community.

Encourage your professional association(s) and state chapters to adopt policies and resolutions in support of impaired driving legislation and enforcement.