[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 233 (Thursday, December 4, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 64131-64132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31946]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 233 / Thursday, December 4, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 64131]]

                Proclamation 7057 of December 1, 1997

                
National Drunk And Drugged Driving Prevention 
                Month, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Driving is a privilege enjoyed by millions of 
                Americans. It offers us freedom, mobility, and the 
                chance to discover what lies over the next hill or 
                around the next bend in the road. But driving also 
                brings with it serious responsibilities. Among the most 
                important of these is a driver's responsibility to stay 
                sober. Tragically, many Americans ignore this 
                responsibility.

                Drunk or drugged drivers are a menace not only to 
                themselves, but also to the communities in which they 
                drive. Last year alone, they killed more than 17,000 of 
                their fellow citizens and injured thousands more. 
                Research has shown that teenage drivers and those aged 
                21 to 34 are most likely to drive under the influence 
                of alcohol or other drugs.

                We must reaffirm our commitment to educate these and 
                all drivers about the dangers of operating a vehicle 
                after consuming alcohol or drugs, and we must 
                strengthen law enforcement efforts that will prevent 
                impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel in the 
                first place. We must also work together as a national 
                community to make drunk and drugged driving socially 
                unacceptable, and continue to support educational 
                programs and legislation that teach all our citizens 
                the terrible risks of drunk and drugged driving. By 
                doing so, we can prevent thousands of deaths and 
                injuries each year and protect our families, our 
                friends, and ourselves from becoming victims of this 
                deadly behavior.

                I am proud of the ``Zero Alcohol Tolerance'' 
                legislation that 45 States and the District of Columbia 
                have adopted, making it illegal for drivers under the 
                age of 21 who have been drinking to drive a motor 
                vehicle. I call upon all Americans, including 
                policymakers, community leaders, State officials, 
                parents, educators, health and medical professionals, 
                and other concerned citizens to continue to support 
                such legislation and to work together to save lives. I 
                challenge American businesses to take a stand against 
                impaired driving both on and off the job and to 
                remember that an alcohol- and drug-free workplace is 
                the right and responsibility of every worker. Finally, 
                in memory of the thousands who have lost their lives to 
                drunk and drugged drivers, I ask all motorists to 
                participate in ``National Lights on for Life Day'' on 
                Friday, December 19, 1997, by driving with vehicle 
                headlights illuminated. In doing so, we will call 
                attention to this critical national problem and remind 
                others on the road of their responsibility to drive 
                free of the influence of drugs and alcohol.

                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 1997 as National 
                Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I urge all 
                Americans to recognize the dangers of impaired driving; 
                to take responsibility for themselves and others around 
                them; to prevent anyone under the influence of alcohol 
                or drugs from getting behind the wheel; and to help 
                teach our young people about the importance and the 
                benefits of safe driving behavior.

[[Page 64132]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and 
                twenty-second.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-31946
Filed 12-3-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P