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SILVER SPRING, MD (December 1, 2003) - Today is the
start of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (3D Month),
and the National Commission Against Drunk Driving (NCADD) is marking the
day by releasing a free new guide called "Taking a Stand on
Impaired Driving" to provide motorists and holiday party hosts
with tips to prevent impaired driving during the high risk December
holiday season.
The brochure, which is available at no charge by mail or
on the internet, was co-produced by NCADD and GEICO Insurance Company. "Taking
a Stand on Impaired Driving" provides tips for responsible party
hosting and partying, and information on how alcohol affects driver motor
skills, how to spot and report suspected drunk drivers, and the latest
drunk driving statistics.
3D Month was established by congressional legislation
and presidential proclamation in December 1982 because the Christmas - New
Year's period is typically one of the higher risk times on our roads due
to a sharp increase in drinking and driving.
While alcohol-related traffic deaths were cut by
two-thirds from 1981 to 1994, DUI deaths leveled off for several years
until they started to climb again in 2000. Last year, 17,419 people were
killed and 700,000 others were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes
in the U.S. Drunk driving costs Americans more than $50 billion each year
in economic losses.
"An individual has choices -- a choice to drink, a
choice to drink to impairment, and a choice of whether or not to drive.
Impaired driving deaths and injuries can be prevented IF people make
responsible choices during the holidays and every day," said NCADD
President John Moulden. "Our brochure encourages people to make right
choices and to encourage others to make right choices. With impaired
driving one of the most frequently committed violent crimes in our
country, we are talking about a fight for our lives and the lives of our
loved ones."
The NCADD is the successor to the Presidential
Commission on Drunk Driving appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1982.
The mission of NCADD is to continue the efforts of the Presidential
Commission to reduce impaired driving and its tragic consequences by
uniting a broad based coalition of public and private sector organizations
and other concerned individuals who share this common purpose.
"Taking a Stand on Impaired Driving" is
available on the internet at www.3dmonth.org,
by phone at 240-247-6004, or by mail at NCADD, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite
370, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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