    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [December 3, 1994]
    [Pages 2142-2143]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    December 3, 1994

        Good morning. December and the holiday season it ushers in is a
    wonderful time of year. The pace slows and moods brighten as the holiday
    spirit lifts us up and brings us closer together. We have a chance to
    visit with family and friends, to celebrate, to reminisce, to think
    about the year ahead as well as the year we've just finished. We have
    the chance to reflect on our accomplishments as individuals and as a
    nation.
        In the last 2 years, our administration has made a good start. We've
    worked hard to downsize the Government and reduce the deficit and to
    create jobs and opportunities and to help middle class Americans take
    advantage of both. Unemployment is at a 4-year low. We're having the
    most rapid economic growth in 7 years. Things are moving in the right
    direction. But despite this progress, we know Americans have a lot of
    problems that we still have to work on up here in Washington, including
    stagnant incomes and crime and other difficult social challenges.
        But I think all of us know that nothing we can do will truly restore
    the American dream unless individual Americans exercise more personal
    responsibility for their own lives. That's why we must continue our work
    here to reform welfare and to help educate more Americans with better
    education and training to face the challenges of a global economy in the
    future. The most important thing any of us can do is to take that
    personal responsibility for our communities, our families, and
    ourselves.
        During the holiday season it's particularly important for all of us
    to take responsibility to keep our highways safe. Some 18,000 people
    will die this year in alcohol-related auto crashes, about one every 30
    minutes. Well over a million people will be injured, one person every 26
    seconds. These terrible incidents happen so frequently and are so
    pervasive that more than 40 percent of all Americans will be involved in
    an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. Because of the
    determined work of private organizations, like Mothers Against Drunk
    Driving, the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths has dropped about
    30 percent in the last 10 years, but it's very clear that we've got a
    long, long way to go.
        Nothing is as terrible as collisions that occur when an adult under
    the influence gets behind the steering wheel with a child in the car.
    For any adult to recklessly endanger the life of a child in this way is
    beyond disgraceful; it's an atrocity. The crime bill I signed in
    September makes it clear that we won't tolerate this kind of behavior.
    It puts tough, new penalties on the books for people who drive drunk
    with children in the car and makes it easier for States to prosecute
    anybody who drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
        But no matter how many laws we put on the books, no matter how many
    hours dedicated

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    volunteers put into public education campaigns, these terrible deaths
    will only be prevented if each and every one of us takes the
    responsibility to do something about it ourselves. The sad truth is
    these crashes are caused by people who know better but drink and drive
    anyway, hurting themselves and often hurting others. And don't fool
    yourself, if you let a friend drive while under the influence of drugs
    or alcohol, you're their accomplice as much as if you were behind the
    wheel yourself.
        Preventing these disasters is simple. Stay away from drugs
    completely. They're illegal, and they're dangerous, and they're liable
    to kill you in or out of a car. If you're going to drink, be
    responsible. Do it in moderation and choose a designated driver who
    doesn't drink at all. And if you see a friend about to get behind the
    wheel when you know it isn't a good idea, take the keys away. It may not
    be easy at the moment, but it will be the greatest favor you may ever do
    for him or her.
        Right after this radio address, I'm going to sign an order making
    this National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. December is a
    good month for that, not only because of the increased celebrating that
    goes with the holiday season but because the holiday season helps to
    bring out the best in all of us. It makes us think a little more about
    each other. It reminds us of the obligations we all share to improve our
    communities, to keep them safe and sound for our children and our
    grandchildren.
        In that spirit, the best gift you can give anyone this year is a
    simple promise to yourself: If you're going to drink, don't get behind
    the wheel; if you see a friend about to, don't let him. Make it a New
    Year's resolution. Start to observe it today, and keep it for the rest
    of your life.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House. The National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
    proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.