Despite recent reductions in fatalities, impaired driving remains one of America's deadliest social problems. In 2004, nearly 13,000 drivers or motorcycle operators died in crashes with a BAC level of .08 or above- the illegal limit in all states. Most people don't intend to drive home drunk, but too many find themselves at the end of the night without a sober designated driver. Unfortunately, many of these drivers convince themselves and friends that they are able to drive with the comment, "I'm okay, I'm just buzzed."

Like any good communications program, the Drunk Driving Prevention campaign is constantly exploring ways to build on its success. This year, the U.S. Department of Transportation is expanding on the "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" campaign to include "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving." The “Friends” message, designed for the friend or family member, asks them to take the keys of an impaired driver. The new campaign shifts the message to personal responsibility, by talking to the impaired driver him- or herself, those who think it’s acceptable to get behind the wheel after they’ve had enough to drink to feel “buzzed”. The campaign is designed to convince those drivers that “buzzed” means that they are too impaired to drive, so that they will give up the keys.

The “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” campaign expands NHTSA’s impaired driving communications, and complements the “Friends” message. The two campaigns will run concurrently.