Washington, DC - While it is the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be one of the deadliest times on our nation's roadways. To combat this, a new, informal survey from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reveals that at least 40 states, two territories and the District of Columbia are planning special, stepped-up enforcement efforts to protect the public from drunken drivers during the upcoming holiday season. In the remaining states, drunken-driving enforcement will be a part of the everyday work of state and local troopers.
The upcoming enforcement effort is in response to the high rate of crash deaths during the holiday season. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that December 23 and January 1 are among the deadliest days of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in December of 2004, 1,210 Americans were killed in highway crashes involving a driver or a motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .01 or higher. Of those, 1,054 had an illegal BAC level of .08 or above. While the dates of the enforcement effort vary based on state data trends, the period generally will run from December 15 to January 2.
According to GHSA Chair Lt. Colonel Jim Champagne, "Highway safety advocates and officials across this country are sick and tired of losing so many of our friends and neighbors to drunken drivers. To those in our society who continue to insist on endangering themselves and others, our message is clear: You will pay a serious price."
To combat these needless tragedies, highway safety agencies are funding overtime for law enforcement to increase their presence on the roadways this season. States are also coordinating checkpoints or saturation patrols to ensure the safety of the public while driving. The checkpoints are particularly effective as they deter not only drunken drivers and safety belt violators but also drivers engaging in criminal activity.
In some states, the enforcement effort is being complemented with paid advertising warning drivers of the increased law enforcement presence. Television and radio ads along with billboards alert drivers to drive sober or face serious consequences. Many other states are planning aggressive outreach to local media to ensure that drivers are deterred from drinking and driving.
This crackdown by GHSA Members is being done in addition to the NHTSA program which focuses on "Strategic Evaluation States." Fifteen states were selected based on the drunken driving rate in each state coupled with the potential for positive impact on the problem. This federally-funded effort provides money for sustained enforcement efforts that began on July 1, 2005 and will continue until June 30, 2006. Funds are dispersed to the counties with the most serious drunken driving problem.
