[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 72551-72552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31068]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 235 / Friday, December 6, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 72551]]

                Proclamation 7632 of December 3, 2002

                
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention 
                Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Drunk and drugged driving threatens the safety of 
                millions of Americans. Reducing the incidence of 
                impaired driving remains one of our Nation's greatest 
                challenges. As we gather with family and friends to 
                celebrate this holiday season, I urge all Americans to 
                observe National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention 
                Month by making responsible choices that will help keep 
                our roads safer for all.

                Drunk driving accidents take a life every 30 minutes 
                and injure someone every 2 minutes. In the last 24 
                months, 41 percent of those killed in traffic 
                accidents, which is almost 35,000 Americans, have been 
                killed in alcohol-related crashes. To better protect 
                our citizens and decrease the number of drunk and 
                drugged driving traffic accidents, we must work 
                together to educate our communities about the 
                seriousness of this offense and we must raise awareness 
                of its devastating consequences.

                My Administration supports efforts to save lives and 
                prevent injuries resulting from impaired driving. The 
                Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic 
                Safety Administration (NHTSA) works with local law 
                enforcement agencies that conduct sobriety checkpoints 
                and saturation patrols; and it also supports State 
                efforts to pass legislation that increases punishment 
                for those who drink and drive.

                The NHTSA and its State and local partners are 
                dedicated to eliminating impaired driving and stopping 
                the associated injuries and fatalities. The NHTSA's 
                national safety campaign--You Drink & Drive. You 
                Lose.--aims to lower America's impaired driving 
                fatality rate to less than 11,000 people per year by 
                the year 2005. By providing its partner organizations 
                with guidance on overcoming this national challenge, 
                this important campaign is assisting local law 
                enforcement agencies, community groups and 
                organizations, public health professionals, and 
                businesses to coordinate and address this vital issue.

                As part of the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign, 
                law enforcement agencies across the Nation will be out 
                in full force from December 20, 2002, to January 5, 
                2003, to stop drunk and drugged driving. During the 
                holiday season, organizations and citizens throughout 
                the country also will be working to prevent this deadly 
                activity by encouraging citizens to choose sober, 
                designated drivers, keep impaired family members and 
                friends off our roads, report drivers who are under the 
                influence, and educate young people about safe, 
                alcohol- and drug-free driving behavior. Through 
                cooperation and determination, every American can do 
                something to make a difference and help stop impaired 
                drivers before they harm others.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 2002 as National 
                Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I call upon 
                State and community leaders to join the You Drink & 
                Drive. You Lose. national mobilization between December 
                20, 2002, and January 5, 2003. I also urge all 
                Americans to work to enhance the safety of our Nation's 
                roadways and protect the

[[Page 72552]]

                well-being of our drivers, passengers, and pedestrians 
                during this holiday season and every day of the year.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                third day of December, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-31068
Filed 12-5-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P