[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9373 of November 30, 2015

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

No person should suffer the tragedy of losing someone as a result of
drunk, drugged, or distracted driving, but for far too long the danger
of impaired driving has robbed people of the comfort of knowing that
when they or a loved one leaves home they will return safely. Impaired

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driving puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk, and each year
it claims the lives of thousands of Americans. During National Impaired
Driving Prevention Month, we recommit to preventing these incidents by
acting responsibly and by promoting responsible behavior in those around
us. Together, we can enhance public safety and work to ensure a happy,
healthy life for all our people.
During the holidays--a season that includes a spike in travel and
celebrations that may include alcohol--and throughout the year, we must
remain vigilant and aware of drivers that are distracted or under the
influence of drugs or alcohol. Drunk drivers kill more than 10,000
people annually, and about one-third of traffic deaths in the United
States involve a driver with a blood alcohol concentration above the
legal limit. Driving under the influence of drugs, an increasingly
common occurrence, carries the same risks as drunk driving and is just
as avoidable. And driving distracted, including while using a cell
phone, can lead to tragic outcomes that are also preventable. Every
American can play a role in reducing the frequency of these incidents by
speaking out and warning others of the dangers associated with impaired
driving, taking away the keys of would-be drivers they know to be
intoxicated, and reminding drivers they are riding with to stay focused
on the road and to limit distractions. It is also critical for drivers
and passengers alike to wear seatbelts regardless of how far they are
traveling.
Across our Nation, State and local law enforcement agencies are working
tirelessly to prevent and respond to impaired driving. The Drive
Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, occurring from December 16, 2015,
through January 1, 2016, seeks to raise awareness of the dangers
associated with drunk and drugged driving and aims to prevent as many of
these tragedies from occurring as possible. At the Federal level, my
Administration remains committed to doing our part. This year, we
released an updated National Drug Control Strategy, which aims to reduce
drugged driving by encouraging States to enact drugged driving laws and
improve efforts to identify these impaired drivers. We also continue to
support the efforts of the tireless advocates working to stop drunk
driving, and we will keep pushing to equip law enforcement
with the tools needed to end and prevent incidents of impaired driving.
For more information, visit www.Distraction.gov, www.NHTSA.gov/
DriveSober, and www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP/DruggedDriving.
As we gather with friends and loved ones this month, I encourage all
Americans to enjoy their time together responsibly. It is important to
the health and safety of us all to plan ahead by designating a non-
drinking driver, staying in place if impaired, and arranging for
alternative means of transportation. During National Impaired Driving
Prevention Month, let us pledge to always drive sober and alert and to
avoid distractions behind the wheel. Together, we can help ensure all
our people are able to enjoy the holiday spirit and make memories with
those they care about while safeguarding the well-being of everyone on
the road.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2015 as
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to make
responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent impaired
driving.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA