States Urge Motorists to Stay Safe and Drive Sober During the Holidays

Drug-impairment a growing concern

News provided by

Governors Highway Safety Association

Dec 16, 2014, 10:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Across the country, Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) member State Highway Safety Offices are working with law enforcement officials and other community partners to keep impaired drivers off the roads this holiday season.

The annual national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, December 10-31, comes at a particularly dangerous time of year for roadway users. On average, more than 800 people lose their lives in vehicle crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December.

"Unfortunately, far too many people still make the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel after too many drinks, especially during the holidays," said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins. "Impaired driving contributes to one-third of all highway fatalities, and GHSA and its members remain committed to reducing these preventable deaths."

While the primary focus is alcohol use and driving, drug-impairment is a growing issue in many states, particularly with the loosening of restrictions on marijuana use. GHSA recently strengthened its policies to call for improved drug testing at the state level. Additionally, the Association is launching a project to examine drug-impaired driving research and provide recommendations to help states address this challenge. Highway safety officials in Colorado and Washington State – where recreational marijuana is currently legal – are already developing policies and programs to keep drug-impaired drivers from endangering themselves and others, using the "Drive High, Get a DUI" message.

Adkins notes, "We need to make drug-impaired driving as socially unacceptable as drunk driving and remind all motorists that when you are feeling impaired – whether it's from alcohol, another drug, or a combination – you are in no condition to drive."

States are pulling out all the stops to convince motorists not to drive drunk, and find and prosecute those who do. Their efforts center on the proven formula of high visibility enforcement supported by targeted public education campaigns. States, for example, are employing the following creative tactics to support their law enforcement efforts.

The California Office of Traffic Safety is launching the first-of-its-kind designated driver mobile app that features exclusive offers and discounts for sober designated drivers at bars and restaurants throughout the state. It also connects users to ride sharing services to help them find a safe ride home.
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety works with corporate partners to host "Mocktail" parties – non-alcoholic cocktail parties that feature safety information, responsible party hosting tips and samples of "smart" party foods.
The Maryland Highway Safety Office is unveiling an ENDUI smartphone app. Users can create a designated driver list, instantly locate the nearest taxi or public transportation options, estimate their BAC, and take tests to measure their reaction time and response functions.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is kicking off its campaign with a tour of a county detention center to demonstrate how a DUI arrest is processed. The Department also is continuing its Be a S.A.N.T.A. (Sober All Night Totally Awesome) Designated Driver campaign that encourages partiers to designate a driver for a safe trip home.
The Utah Highway Safety Office is setting up a 22-foot holiday tribute tree at a major shopping center to be decorated with custom ornaments, each honoring a DUI victim by name. The tree will be unveiled at a press conference where the victims' stories will be shared.

Additional Resources:

More state holiday enforcement activities:
www.ghsa.org/html/issues/impaireddriving/holiday14.html
State drunk driving and ignition interlock laws:
www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/impaired_laws.html
Drug-impaired driving laws:
www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/dre_perse_laws.html
Information on the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization:
www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GHSAhq or follow us on Twitter @GHSAHQ.

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SOURCE Governors Highway Safety Association