[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 232 (Monday, December 4, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62185-62186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29623]




[[Page 62183]]

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Part IV





The President





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 Proclamation 6853--National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention 
Month, 1995

 Proclamation 6854--World AIDS Day, 1995
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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 232 / Monday, December 4, 1995 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 62185]]

                Proclamation 6853 of November 30, 1995

                
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention 
                Month, 1995

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For many young Americans, learning to drive is a 
                significant step along the road to maturity and 
                independence. There are serious responsibilities that 
                accompany getting a driver's license, and it is 
                essential to teach our youth--and all Americans--the 
                terrible risks of drunk and drugged driving. Males aged 
                21-34 are among those most likely to drive under the 
                influence of alcohol or drugs, and there is a critical 
                need for additional prevention efforts aimed at this 
                group.

                Alcohol use played a role in 16,600 motor vehicle-
                related fatalities last year--nearly 41 percent of all 
                such deaths. While the number of these tragedies has 
                declined significantly over the past decade, the 
                statistics are still devastating. We must continue our 
                campaign of public education, provide increased law 
                enforcement, and seek tougher laws and penalties for 
                offenders.

                Last June, I called on the Congress to make ``Zero 
                Tolerance'' the law of the land and require States to 
                adopt a Zero Tolerance standard for drivers under the 
                age of 21. I am pleased that this provision was 
                included in the ``National Highway System Designation 
                Act of 1995,'' which I signed this week. It is already 
                against the law for young people to consume alcohol, 
                and Zero Tolerance creates a national standard that 
                will make it effectively illegal for young people who 
                have been drinking to drive an automobile.

                Many States have already enacted Zero Tolerance laws. 
                These laws work--alcohol-related crashes involving 
                teenage drivers are down as much as 20 percent in those 
                States. When all States have these laws, hundreds more 
                lives will be saved and thousands of injuries will be 
                prevented. I commend the Congress for heeding my call 
                and making Zero Tolerance the standard nationwide for 
                drivers under the age of 21.

                I am also proud that citizens across the Nation are 
                working to spread the word about the dangers of 
                impaired driving. Vital partnerships have formed among 
                Federal, State, and local government agencies, private 
                businesses, and community groups. Last year, on 
                December 15, many Americans observed ``Lights on for 
                Life Day'' by driving with their headlights illuminated 
                in remembrance of the victims of drunk and drugged 
                driving. I hope that caring citizens will commemorate 
                the same day this month, doing their part to help 
                ensure a safe holiday season.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim December 1995, as National 
                Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I urge all 
                Americans to recognize the dangers of impaired driving; 
                to take responsibility for themselves, their guests, 
                and their passengers; to stop anyone under the 
                influence of drugs or alcohol from getting behind the 
                wheel; and to help teach children safe driving 
                behavior. 

[[Page 62186]]


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 95-29623
Filed 11-30-95; 4:40 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P