U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater unveiled a new public education campaign called "You Drink & Drive. You Lose,"last week.
The campaign was created to help prevent drunk driving and reach the national goal of reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities to no more than 11,000 per year by 2005. The campaign targets high-risk populations, such as 21- to 34-year-olds, high blood alcohol concentration and repeat offenders, and underage drinkers.
"The number of fatalities associated with impaired driving is declining because of efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation and our partners to improve safety, which is President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's highest transportation priority," said Slater. "We must continue working to save lives and prevent injuries from drunk driving, and this new campaign will help do that."
Last year, 15, 935 people died as a result of impaired driving, and more than 300,000 were injured. Alcohol-related fatalities are at an all time low, but they still account for nearly 38 percent of all traffic-related deaths.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" campaign brings together various department efforts aimed at preventing impaired driving under one identity in a better coordinated and common sense approach.
By enhancing public awareness through partnerships and coalitions, coupled with highly active and visible law enforcement, the campaign offers communities a framework to support current impaired driving and zero tolerance laws and prevention programs.