Drunk and drugged driving is a major concern across the country. It is a crime that results in a tremendous loss of life and can prove to be economically devastating to those individuals involved and the public as well. It is a serious problem that affects all persons regardless of age, intelligence, or economic status. Proactive measures over the last several years have accomplished much to increase the public’s knowledge of, and concern about, impaired driving. Prosecutors are leaders within their communities and are looked to for guidance. It is important that prosecutors play an active role in their community efforts to educate the public about impaired driving. This effort increases highway safety and may make the prosecutor’s job easier.

Ideas for 3D Prevention Month Activities

• Provide press releases for local newspapers and radio and television stations.

• Give interviews or conduct call-in talk shows for radio or television stations.

• Work with law enforcement agencies to develop safety check roadblocks (where allowed).

• Organize ribbon “tie-ons” with victims organizations, local politicians, and law enforcement agencies. The tie-ons can include vehicles and/or trees. The ribbon can be given to those promising to not drive impaired or to recognize those who have been killed by impaired drivers.

• Organize candlelight vigils to recognize those who have been killed by impaired drivers.

• Give presentations to school classes on impaired driving laws.

• Provide tours of the courthouse and jail.

• Organize a local Lights on for Life Day to coincide with the National Lights on for Life Day (December 18, 1998), and National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend (December 18-20, 1998).

Year-Round Activities

• Organize a car crash scenario to be acted out at local community high schools. The scenario could portray a crash where a young driver is seriously injured, and his or her best friend, the passenger, is killed, and depicts the tragic outcome for all involved.

• Organize impaired motorcycle riding scenarios throughout communities to emphasize how impaired motorcyclists have become a serious problem in our communities.

• Give presentations at drivers education classes and service clubs about impaired driving and its impact on the community.

Success Story

Prosecutors routinely take leadership roles in their communities. One such endeavor involved a prosecutor working together with a local school, law enforcement, and emergency response personnel. A scenario was developed and at a local high school, a scene was portrayed where students were drinking and driving after their high school prom. The scenario: A car crash occurred. One student, the passenger, died. The “jaws of-life” were required to remove the students from the car. The driver, uninjured, was charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The students observed the crash scene, the removal of the bodies, the ambulance trip to the hospital, the emergency room scene, the parents being told that their child was dead, the student being finger printed and booked, the hearse carrying the dead student, and a judge telling the student the law and possible sentences. Much favorable media was received concerning this event.